Fit footwear is no flop
Two Salford University academics are helping to revolutionise the treatment of cellulite – not to mention alleviate lower-leg pain and improve muscle tone.
Dr Phil Graham-Smith and Dr Richard Jones have given their scientific backing to FitFlops, a new footwear product that is taking the worlds of fashion – and health – by storm.
The FitFlops’ sole acts like a ‘wobble board’ – creating some instability that requires more muscle effort to stabilise the body during walking.
Phil said: “The entrepreneur Marcia Kilgore approached us in November 2006 to carry out an independent evaluation of the FitFlops. She wanted our input because of our expertise in bio-mechanics and footwear design.”
The trials consisted of placing retro-reflective markers on the body, measuring how forces were distributed around the lower body, and measuring muscle activity profiles.
“We found that the calf and hip muscles were being activated for longer when wearing the FitFlops, which in effect is like giving those areas of your legs a more targeted workout,” explained Phil. “Because they offer less support, it makes the arch of your foot, and supporting leg muscles work harder to stabilise the body.
“On the basis of our evaluation, Marcia decided to go ahead with the mass production and FitFlops are now being sold worldwide. There are now half a million pairs in existence – all bearing the University of Salford name!”
Phil and Richard are now looking into the pain-alleviation properties of FitFlops, which have already been dubbed “maybe one of the greatest, most cost-effective boons ever for cellulite sufferers”.
As well as the cosmetic benefits, FitFlops wearers are reporting that they the shoes are helping to alleviate pain in a number of chronic conditions, such as lower back pain and arthritis.
“Potentially this could be a miracle shoe!” said Phil. “It’s not often that you get a product that can aid performance and help to reduce pain at the same time. We are very excited.”
