For today’s health news, I thought I’d cover a topic that is extremely close to my heart – flip-flops. You may be laughing, but like many of us, summer is the time that I throw all my boots and socks to the back of their respective closets and drawers and replace them with flip-flops. I am so enamored with flip-flops that I have colors that match all my clothing and when I take summer vacations, I only bring a few pairs of flip-flops (and a pair of sneakers for running). They’re cheap, relatively durable, easy to clean and fun – what more could one ask for in a shoe?
You’re probably asking what this has to do with health. Well, much to my dismay, a recent study presented at the American College of Sports Medicine found that people who wear flip-flops may experience pain in the lower legs, ankles or feet. Researchers at Auburn University studied about 40 women and men as they walked on a special platform. They found that individuals took shorter steps in flip-flops and had a greater angle between their shins and the tops of their feet.
Researchers attributed pain to a decrease in downward pressure on the ground. In addition, they said wearers tend to grip the flip-flops with their toes, which can also result in pain. According to Dr. Rock Positano from the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, with flip-flops, “the foot works harder than it should and people tend to develop overuse injuries such as tendonitis, lower leg, knee, hip and back problems.”
The study concluded that flip-flops are OK in moderation, such as for shorter distances and locations where they make the most sense, such as the beach. But for longer distances, better support, such as is provided with sneakers, should be worn. In addition, a segment on Good Morning America highlighted some flip-flops that seem to offer more support, including Reefs and Crocs.
So what does this mean for me (and maybe you too)? I’m hanging on to my flip-flop collection, but I may swap in sneakers and other more supportive shoes a little bit more often.
Kerry
