A 2009 study of 6 men ( "Effect of Shoe Sole Styles...") states as its purpose "... clarify the relation between walking speeds and the amount and pattern of lower limb muscle activity when walking in shoes with different stability..." Skechers were employed, and the study found( drum roll,please) that electrical activity was increased in the medial gastrocnemius(inner calf.) Nothing about butt toning or weight loss here.
A 2009 "Testing of Skecher's Step-Up Shoes" sought to "compare motions, forces, and EMG activity during standing and walking in Skecher's Shape-Up shoes..." 10 adult females participated. The EMG ( electrical activity) of the medial gastrocnemius increased in the stance position; the EMG of the anterior tibialis ( muscle on the front of the calf) decreased during the first 10% of the gait. "No other differences in walking EMG noticed." " Other differences in kinematics and kinetics were observed, but their interpretation is uncertain."
Not exactly a resounding endorsement of the claims of weight loss, posture improvement, increased muscle tone, etc.,etc. Let's go on a world tour of additional studies to see what they tell us. Don't worry, it won't really take 80 days.
Oh, by the way, the rest of the studies use shoes that do notpurport to be "toning shoes." They are called Masai Barefoot Technology ( MBT shoes.) The MBTs are positioned as shoes that help "improve balance and posture." Disclaimer: I own a pair of these clunky shoes.
A 2006 Swiss study with 12 participants sought to describe " Changes in Gait and EMG When Walking with the MBT." What do we learn? "...Masai barefoot technology changes movement patterns, especially at the ankle(my emphasis), and increases muscle activity...the clinical relevance of those changes remains to be determined." I guess the "toning shoes" purveyors didn't read this one.
So far, no evidence related to the "toning shoes" benefits claims. Let's examine a 2006 Canadian study of the MBT. It found: "During quiets standing...EMG intensity increased in the unstable shoe...but only significantlyfor the tibialis anterior.During locomotion,... there were no significant differencesin EMG between the control and unstable shoe." Okey-doke.
Now, off to the UK for a 2004 study commissioned by MBT. 22 people were enlisted to study "...the effect of MBT shoes on normal gait characteristics..." and the use of MBT to help alleviate back pain and osteoarthritis of the hip and knee. Nothing here about "toning", right? The study concludes: "...lower leg kinematics were largely unchanged."
The study did find that MBTs elicited a decrease in forward trunk lean.Among other things, the study also showed a decrease of sagittal plane joint movement at the hip, knee and ankle, a decrease in joint loading, a decrease in transient peaks, and increased EMG activity in the gastrocnemius, biceps femoris(hamstring), and gluteus maximus.
This study did show that the MBT might help lessen low back and joint pain.That is the reason I purchased mine three years ago.
Just 2 more studies to cover. Here is a lovely internal study from MBT. Once again, it has nothing to with "toning." And,of course, MBT does not make any "toning" claims. The study is entitled "MBT As Therapeutic Shoe for Ankle Instability." It covered MBT shoes versus existing therapy for people with chronic ankle instability. Need I say more? Didn't think so.
For our last study, 126 unfortunate osteoarthritis sufferers participated in a study to "assess the effectiveness of MBT shoe in reducing knee pain in persons with knee osteoarthritis." The shocking finding? In "static balance... the difference between groups was not significant."
So there we have it. Nothing to justify spending $100 bucks on shoes that Do empty your wallet. The best "butt toning" exercise? Get up off of it.
"You get whatever you choose Oh, no you can't do that Once you stared wearin' THOSE SHOES" The Eagles
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