As I've mentioned before, I love flat shoes. The idea is that we are meant to go barefoot, so therefore minimal shoes should be the best choice.
I thought a visual representation would help. The two photos below are of the Puma H Street (my favorite) and a Reebok cross-trainer. The difference in heel size is quite noticeable.
It seems probable that such a large heel would alter a person's walking gait. It would also change how pressure is distributed in the body. You can try this for yourself by standing barefooted, and then inserting a book under you heels. The body first leans forward, and then to compensate you have to arch your back some.
My bet is that heeled shoes can have many negative consequences, such as low back problems and knee pain. Some recent research is starting to show this, such as this study which connects heel height to foot problems.
As I've mentioned before, I love flat shoes. The idea is that we are meant to go barefoot, so therefore minimal shoes should be the best choice.
I thought a visual representation would help. The two photos below are of the Puma H Street (my favorite) and a Reebok cross-trainer. The difference in heel size is quite noticeable.
It seems probable that such a large heel would alter a person's walking gait. It would also change how pressure is distributed in the body. You can try this for yourself by standing barefooted, and then inserting a book under you heels. The body first leans forward, and then to compensate you have to arch your back some.
My bet is that heeled shoes can have many negative consequences, such as low back problems and knee pain. Some recent research is starting to show this, such as this study which connects heel height to foot problems.