We often hear that feet, particularly young feet, require "support" from footwear. However, this concept seems out of touch when you consider the foot is actually an efficient mechanical device that utilises its flexible nature to perform complex mechanical actions during every step we make. Why then would we restrict this naturally effective device by encasing it in rigid footwear that provides resistance to normal foot motion and function?

The Children Walking Well Project, funded by the Australian Research Council in collaboration with Clarks Australia, will be undertaken by a team of researchers from the University of Sydney's Faculty of Health Science. The project aims to investigate the effects of footwear on the foot mechanics of children and understand behavioural factors that contribute to parents' decision making when purchasing children's shoes.

'It is unclear whether rigid shoes are a step in the wrong direction for young feet. There may be no advantage to wearing rigid shoes over so called "unsupportive shoes", such as joggers or canvas shoes,' said project leader Dr Damien O'Meara.

'Terms such as "arch support", "over pronation" and "motion control" are used carelessly in marketing spins for many shoe models in the market. These concepts are very important for a proportion of the population with pathologies, however are not important for many of us with relatively normal functioning feet. Most of the claims made by shoe companies regarding the benefits of shoes for sport and walking activities are unsubstantiated by independent research,' said Dr O'Meara.

The complex nature of foot mechanics is a popular area of interest for biomechanists world-wide. The development of accurate mechanical models of the foot which consider 3D motion of the rearfoot, forefoot and toes are only now becoming widely acceptable.

One such model has been developed by biomechanists from the 3D Motion Analysis Laboratory at the Sydney University School of Exercise and Sport Science led by Associate Professor Richard Smith. This research team has already illustrated the complex nature of this area by showing that while for one third of adults the shoes have their desired effect, one third show no change, and the other third show responses in an opposite direction.

The Sydney team is currently recruiting for a study involving gait analysis of primary school children from year one to year six. Children who participate have an opportunity to see themselves as an animated figure while they move throughout space in real time. The technology used by the research team is also used in the movie industry to create animated characters that are based on real human movement. The team will also discuss aspects of the child's foot structure and gait patterns with parents.

By University of Sydney