The benefits of high heels revealed

In a study on the effects of wearing high heels regularly, a group of researchers discovered after a 14-week period that high heels could be more efficient and effective for walking. This finding applied to both women and men.

Individuals who find it difficult to wear high heels might be surprised by the results of this biomechanical study. In the research, male and female participants who walked in custom-designed high heels for several months began to show differences in their walking style in a short time. However, contrary to the common belief about high heels, the researchers found that these changes did not pose a problem. On the contrary, the men and women who wore high heels most frequently became better and more efficient walkers not only in high heels but also in flat shoes.

COULD BE A TRAINING TOOL

The study's lead researcher, assistant professor Owen Beck from the University of Texas, stated that the results suggest high heels could be 'a training tool' for people with movement issues or for healthy individuals such as athletes who want to move faster and more easily.

Although previous studies have generally shown that wearing high heels regularly for months or years significantly changes the way people walk, information regarding what changes occur in the lower legs of those who wear high heels was limited.

In their study, Beck and his colleagues examined healthy young men as well as women who rarely or never wore high heels. The researchers thus aimed to observe the changes in people who started wearing high heels.

Five male and three female volunteers took part in the study. Scientists created high heels for the men by attaching foam padding to the soles of flat sneakers. Each pair of shoes was custom-fitted so that the participant's foot could flex downward at a 14-degree angle. This was equivalent to a 7.5-centimeter heel.

Then, the scientists used ultrasound and other techniques to check the length of the volunteers' calf muscles and the stiffness of their Achilles tendons. They also measured how much energy they expended by walking for five minutes in both flat shoes and high heels. Individuals who expend less energy become more efficient and metabolically more economical walkers. The researchers gave the participants activity trackers and asked them to wear their new high heels every day for 14 weeks.

At the end of the 14 weeks, the participants returned to the laboratory and repeated the previous tests. No changes were observed in the legs or walking of the volunteers who mostly gave up wearing high heels. However, the calf muscles of those who wore high heels were shorter and their Achilles tendons were stiffer. Even more surprisingly, they became more efficient walkers not only in heels but also in flat shoes, expending less energy to walk at the same speed as before on the treadmill. As a result, those who wore heels became "metabolically more economical people."

Beck and his colleagues estimate that the study's findings are likely most meaningful for people such as the elderly, who have relatively loose Achilles tendons and concerns about mobility. Beck stated that wearing heels could stiffen the Achilles tendon and reshape the lower legs. A stiff Achilles tendon saves more energy with every step. Therefore, it is predicted that wearing high heels regularly could contribute to increased running efficiency and speed over time.

News Source: 12punto