1Topix World Best News

Flip-flops are named for the sound they make when you walk — flip, flop, flip, flop — but they could have been called ouch-umphs, the sound you'll make after wearing them all the time.

Researchers at Auburn University have found that wearing flip-flops alters the way one walks, changing the gait in subtle ways that can lead to serious sole, heel and ankle problems. They presented these findings earlier this month at the annual meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine in Indianapolis.

Casual flip-flop use is fine, they said. But driven by a trend that less is better when it comes to healthy footwear, flip-flops have moved beyond the domain of beach bums to take their place among sturdier sandals as proper summer fashion day and night.

Flip-flops might feel good because they keep your feet cool. At issue, though, is their utter lack of foot support.
The Auburn team videotaped 39 flip-flop-wearing volunteers and noticed how they scrunched their toes to keep the flip-flip on the foot while the heel lifted in the air. This motion stretches the plantar fascia, the connective tissue that runs from heel to toe, causing inflammation, pain along the sole, heel spurs and tired feet in general.
The researchers also found that the volunteers altered their gait , taking shorter strides and turning their ankles inward, likely to keep the flip-flop from falling off. This, the researchers worry, can cause long-term ankle and hip problems.

Sandals with heel straps are the healthier choice because your foot doesn't need to clench to keep the footwear secure. These kinds of shoes offer better arch and heel support, too.
America barefooters still face real risks, such as glass and other sharp objects that can carry the tetanus neurotoxin. Barefooters also run the risk of never being invited to an Asian home, because they can't take off their feet.