Selecting kids' shoes by Kelly Starrett, DPT
June 2, 2012
Why Put Your Kid at a Movement Disadvantage?
Hey MobilityWoders,
Today’s episode is a realty check about our human nature. Over the course of the last 2.5 million years, you have evolved to have your heel flat on the ground (or a flat surface). You are an engineering miracle. The length of your heel cords is not an accident. Any systematic deviation away from heel flat isn’t natural (Sure oly shoes are legit, but you don’t cruze the hood in them do you? And check out the crappy ankle range of motion in some of those oly lifters eh?) You need your heel cords to be full length and functioning at full length. Why are you wearing sneaker/tennis shoe/joggers/running shoe versions of high heel shoes? Oh, you are an adult. You do have the right to hobble yourself (ask my wife when she’s wearing her cute going out shoes..) But your kids? I’m not going to be all crazy and say that putting young kids in shoes with an elevated heel is the equivalent of the old Chinese custom of foot binding, but it kind of is? Seriously, heels flat. An elevated heel is an upstream mechanical nightmare expressing itself at the foot, ankle, knee, hip, low back… You can have some padding and traction of course. But keep that differential between heel and toe to a minimum. Besides, I know you crazies out there want your kids to be smart and super jocks. Don’t hobble them out of the gate. Give them a chance to be badass.
June 2, 2012
Why Put Your Kid at a Movement Disadvantage?
Hey MobilityWoders,
Today’s episode is a realty check about our human nature. Over the course of the last 2.5 million years, you have evolved to have your heel flat on the ground (or a flat surface). You are an engineering miracle. The length of your heel cords is not an accident. Any systematic deviation away from heel flat isn’t natural (Sure oly shoes are legit, but you don’t cruze the hood in them do you? And check out the crappy ankle range of motion in some of those oly lifters eh?) You need your heel cords to be full length and functioning at full length. Why are you wearing sneaker/tennis shoe/joggers/running shoe versions of high heel shoes? Oh, you are an adult. You do have the right to hobble yourself (ask my wife when she’s wearing her cute going out shoes..) But your kids? I’m not going to be all crazy and say that putting young kids in shoes with an elevated heel is the equivalent of the old Chinese custom of foot binding, but it kind of is? Seriously, heels flat. An elevated heel is an upstream mechanical nightmare expressing itself at the foot, ankle, knee, hip, low back… You can have some padding and traction of course. But keep that differential between heel and toe to a minimum. Besides, I know you crazies out there want your kids to be smart and super jocks. Don’t hobble them out of the gate. Give them a chance to be badass.