EDITORIAL (SPECIAL ISSUE)

摘要

From a biomechanical/functional point of view, shoes serve at least three main functions: they provide protection from the environment; they improve the connection with the ground thus providing a stable foundation for movement; and they improve foot comfort when standing or walking. However, in recent years new footwear that seems to contradict the second of these paradigms has become popular: instead of providing a stable foundation, these types of shoes try to create specific forms of instability. One underlying idea for this development is the notion that the natural outdoor environment is characterized by uneven surfaces that create instabilities, and these have to be compensated by, and thus train, the postural control system. The environment of modern society, however, is characterized by paved roads and floor surfaces that may lead to weakening or even deterioration of important neuromuscular postural control systems. Footwear that reintroduces unevenness and instability in this environment might compensate for the lack of training of the postural control functions. Hence, a number of beneficial effects have been attributed to unstable shoes, such as improved 'muscle toning', prevention or alleviation of pain symptoms or a reduction of specific joint loads.