Whilst walking barefoot through a Korean rice field, Swiss engineer Karl Muller noticed that his back pain - which was a perennial problem for him - was very much reduced. Curious, he performed a little research and found that the Masai tribesmen of Africa are famous for their excellent posture and do not suffer from back pain.
Muller deduced that walking barefoot on a yielding surface was much better for both your back and joints than walking on a firm surface. He resolved to develop footwear that would replicate the effect of walking on a soft surface such as sand or grass.
The end result was the Masai Barefoot Technology (MBT) shoe. According to the company website, it is so different to conventional footwear that it merits the name of "anti-shoe".
MBT shoes incorporate a specially developed curved sole without a heel, which produces a rolling action when your foot makes contact with the ground. It's just like walking on sand in your bare feet in fact. The use of materials of different densities also contributes to the effect by further lowering jarring and impact shock.
The fact that this is better for your back and joints has now been verified by independent scientific studies. In addition to improved posture, there are evn more benefits. For example, whilst walking normally wearing MBT shoes, the user's muscles are in use for a longer period of time (when compared to normal walking in conventional shoes). The muscles are active for around about 16% longer. Users also tend to take fractionally shorter strides - both of these effects increase the amount of work being done.
The end result of this is that every step you take wearing MBT shoes is providing you with additional exercise. It's a lower body workout while you walk. So, as well as alleviating back pain and improving posture, MBT shoes also help to tone your legs and trim your buttocks.
You might think that that would be enough. In spite of all these benefits, some people find MBT shoes to be a bit chunky and less than pleasing to the eye. They also cost a little more than standard shoes - although you might be more than happy to pay a little extra if you suffer with back pain of course. Luckily, there are now other options available which work along the same lines and which are more pleasing to the eye. Both Fitflops and Skechers Shape Ups use similar curved soles which promote increased muscular activity and help to trim and tone both legs and buttocks whilst engaged in nothing more exhausting than normal walking activity.
Whichever footwear you select, the possibility of reducing back and joint pain whilst simultaneously trimming and toning your lower body - all whilst engaged in nothing more strenuous than normal daily walking - seems very attractive. - 29959
Muller deduced that walking barefoot on a yielding surface was much better for both your back and joints than walking on a firm surface. He resolved to develop footwear that would replicate the effect of walking on a soft surface such as sand or grass.
The end result was the Masai Barefoot Technology (MBT) shoe. According to the company website, it is so different to conventional footwear that it merits the name of "anti-shoe".
MBT shoes incorporate a specially developed curved sole without a heel, which produces a rolling action when your foot makes contact with the ground. It's just like walking on sand in your bare feet in fact. The use of materials of different densities also contributes to the effect by further lowering jarring and impact shock.
The fact that this is better for your back and joints has now been verified by independent scientific studies. In addition to improved posture, there are evn more benefits. For example, whilst walking normally wearing MBT shoes, the user's muscles are in use for a longer period of time (when compared to normal walking in conventional shoes). The muscles are active for around about 16% longer. Users also tend to take fractionally shorter strides - both of these effects increase the amount of work being done.
The end result of this is that every step you take wearing MBT shoes is providing you with additional exercise. It's a lower body workout while you walk. So, as well as alleviating back pain and improving posture, MBT shoes also help to tone your legs and trim your buttocks.
You might think that that would be enough. In spite of all these benefits, some people find MBT shoes to be a bit chunky and less than pleasing to the eye. They also cost a little more than standard shoes - although you might be more than happy to pay a little extra if you suffer with back pain of course. Luckily, there are now other options available which work along the same lines and which are more pleasing to the eye. Both Fitflops and Skechers Shape Ups use similar curved soles which promote increased muscular activity and help to trim and tone both legs and buttocks whilst engaged in nothing more exhausting than normal walking activity.
Whichever footwear you select, the possibility of reducing back and joint pain whilst simultaneously trimming and toning your lower body - all whilst engaged in nothing more strenuous than normal daily walking - seems very attractive. - 29959
