May 11
31
The FitFlop found fame for its ability to turn everyday walking into more of a workout, helping to increase the duration of muscle activation with each step for faster toning throughout the lower body. The Microwobbleboard™ midsole adds small instabilities to the walking gait, causing muscle groups in the buttock, hamstrings, quads and calves to work harder with each step.
Toning however is only part of the attraction with FitFlop footwear, and just as the triple density midsole activates more muscles, it also plays an important role in correcting the posture, and easing the forces transferred to the joints when walking. FitFlop footwear has been reported to help ease pain from a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, reducing the strain on the ankles and knees which can lead to pain, and can even eliminate chronic lower back pain caused by poor posture. The high density foam located in the heel of FitFlop footwear provides excellent shock absorption, cushioning the heel far more effectively than standard shoes and sandals. Testing at Salford University has determined that compared to standard shoes, the FitFlop can reduce the stresses acting on the joints significantly, by absorbing up to 22% more shocks.
Whilst the foam acts as an excellent cushioning material for absorbing the force from the heel strike, the design of the shoes also helps to deal more effectively with the forces generated when walking. When walking in FitFlop footwear, the body is encouraged into a more upright position, with the muscles and bones properly aligned. The spine becomes straighter, and the shoulders roll back. With the body properly positioned, the strain on the muscles in the back neck and shoulders is greatly reduced.
In standard footwear, the ground reaction force is directed upwards through the knees, which places an unhealthy strain on the joints. Biomechanical tests conducted using motion capture techniques demonstrate that with the FitFlop, the ground reaction force is channelled differently, with the force acting in a straight line through the hips, which are far more effective at dealing with shockwaves than the joints in the ankles and the knees. Superior cushioning from the design of the Microwobbleboard™ midsole and the postural changes brought about by wearing the shoes, ensures that the forces are effectively channelled, easing the strain on the ankles, knees, pelvis and lower back.
Posture is also improved in the feet, with the toes given room to move naturally and the soft midsoles helps to distribute pressure more evenly, helping to prevent pressure hotspots which are common in standard footwear. The pressure loading rate in the heel is reduced by 15% when wearing FitFlop footwear, with a 30% reduction in the toes. With the correct alignment, proper support of the foot arches and reduction in foot pressure concentration, the FitFlop can bring a new lease of life back into tired feet, and ease the strain on the delicate joints in the toes.
Poor posture is an all too common problem which can lead to chronic pain, especially in later life. By wearing FitFlop footwear, posture can be corrected, and the joints eased of damaging shock waves, helping to prevent posture related problems from developing and easing the pain when they do.