Supporting+Research

=Supporting Research:=

Here is an arrangement of supporting research and sources that aided the original idea and design of our shoe....

__Get Your Perfect Fit__ For running, the right footwear is vital... To find shoes that make your runs feel easier and reduce the chances that you'll get hurt, its best to know what type of feet you have: In simple terms, are your arches flat, neutral, or high? Many good running-shoe stores can help you figure that out, using free on-the-spot gait analysis - from a biomechanics expert who eyeblls your stride to 3D computer scans that measure your arches and impact pattern. Not all athletic shoes are created equal. And these day, with so many high-tech features and materials in every model, it can feel more like you're buying a spaceship than a pair of sneakers. Here are some of the top shoe models to help you decide: Women's Health Magazine (April 2010 edition)
 * //Nike Flysister+// (these cross-trainers are 16% lighter than previous versions but have even more stability, thanks to strong but featherweight Kevler fibers in the uppers. the soles' razo-thin grooves add serious flex - $110)
 * //Adidas Feather Adilibria// (the sculpted support system in these tennis shoes let your forefeet and heels move independently of each other whle stabilizing your arches. vented rubber outsoleds keep you cool on the court - $110)
 * //Scarpa Epic// (these lighweight hikers have the superior traction of trail runners. Plus, from lining to laces, they're made form recycled material, with midsoles that break down in ladfills 50 times faster than most - $95)
 * //Ryka Revive// (don't be fooled by the price tag: these runing shoes use nitrogen-infused foam to increase the cushioning in the heels and forefeet, where it absorbs the impact of landing and gives you bouncier push-off - $65)
 * //New Balance 710// (perfect for the gym, these trainers boast support "fingers" that are molded into the mesh to brae your feet during side-to-side moves. NB's trademark Abzorb cushioning gives you a soft landing - $70)
 * //Mizuno Wave Nirvana 6// (Mizuno re-created the way the skin on your feet moves when you run: Two-way stretch mesh expands and contracts with your feet - unlike regular mesh, which can bunch and cause blisters - $140)
 * //As////ics Gel-Kayano 16// (Asics added a three-milimeter heel raise to these perennial best-selling running shoes, to work better for women: the lift takes pressure off the Achilles tendon, a common injury spot for females - $140)
 * //Reebok Zigtech// (the Zigtech's inchworm-esque soles propel energy through your feet during a run. Because your lower legs work less, you reduce the risk of overuse injuries like shin splints, so you can train longer and harder - $100)
 * Our team looked at the various types of running shoes available, and have attempted to capture the best of all shoes into our original design.**

__A comfortable, well-fitted shoe offers you the best chance of:__ http://health.yahoo.com/musculoskeletal-living/foot-problems-finding-the-right-shoes/healthwise--tn7285.html
 * Relieving pain in the foot or toe that is caused by a deformity or joint problem
 * Preventing a foot or toe problem from developing or getting worse
 * Preventing a toe joint problem from returning after corrective surgery.
 * We will absolutely provide a comfortable and well-fitting shoe that will not hurt our consumers. **

Running shoes are the most important piece of equipment that a runners has. They help prevent injury and they may help the running gait be more efficient. The running shoe market is huge and most of the running shoe companies make significant investment into the technology and science of running shoes. Running shoes have become more complicated over the years, but still consist of some basic components:

//The outsole//: This is the treaded layer on the undersurface of the shoe, usually made from carbon rubber or similar material. It resists wears and provides traction. It may also have a studded or waffle design to enhance traction on softer surfaces.

//The midsole:// This is considered the most important part of running shoes as it is the cushioning and stability layer between the upper and the outsole. The most common materials for the midsole of running shoes is ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyurethane (PU) or a combination of the two. Often there is a dual-density midsole that has a firmer material on the inner side (medial side) to help limit pronation (rolling in) of the foot. A lot of proprietary technologies developed by different manufacturers go into the midsoles of running shoes (eg air, gel and high-tech plastics materials).

//The upper// : This is the part of the shoe that wraps around and over the top of the foot. It may be made of leather or a synthetic material that is lighter and breathable (to reduce heat from inside the running shoe). The tongue of the upper should be padded to cushion the top of the foot against the pressure from the laces. Often, at the back of the running shoe, the upper is padded to prevent rubbing and irritation against the achilles tendon.

//The heel counter//: This is a firm and inflexible cup which is built into the upper of running shoes and surrounds the heel. It is usually very firm so that it can control motion of the rearfoot.

//Post or footbridge:// This is the firm material in the midsole which increases stability along the inner side (arch side; medial side) of the running shoe. All the runners need the best protection that running shoes can provide - the running shoe needs to absorb shock, control motion, be flexible and be durable. Because of the complexity of individual foot biomechanics and the complexity of running shoes on the market, it is usually a good idea to go to a specialty running shoe store as they will have the expertise to help you find the best running shoe for your individual needs http://www.epodiatry.com/running-shoes.htm
 * Understanding the specific functions and areas of shoe allowed us to create the best shoe possible, keeping in mind the most delicate and tender areas of our consumer's feet. **

__Specific Problems Related to Running Shoe Design Flaws__ Achilles Tendonitis Shoes that have inflexible soles cause the calf muscles to work harder and can contribute to the development of achilles tendonitis. The mechanical reason for this is that the looking at the shoe and leg as a fulcrum and lever system, they make the lever arm function over a longer distance and make the tip of the shoe the location of the fulcrum. The shoe should flex at the point where the toes join the foot, which also happens to be the widest part of the shoe. The shoe should also have a slight heel lift, which most running shoes do. Shoes that have too much heel cushioning, including some of the air-cushioned models can also contribute to achilles tendonitis. After the heel strikes the ground, it continues moving, as the shoe's cushioning continues to absorbs shock. This continued motion can stretch a susceptible achilles tendon excessively. Plantar Fasciitis Shoes that are too flexible in the midsole or that flex before the point at which the toes join the foot result in forces that can both directly cause a stretch in the plantar fascia and contibute to excess pronation in the foot (subtalar joint). The lack of stability that exists in a shoe with this characteristic occurs not just at the transverse plane of the shoe where the shoe actually flexes, but also in a longitudinal plane, reducing the effectiveness of the shoe in limiting excess pronation. Nerve Impingement Lacing systems can press on nerves and also tendons in two main areas that may create pain and injury. The most frequent place in which this can happen is over the first metatarsal-cuneiform joint where the bones at the base of the first metatarsal and the medial cuneiform create a small "bump". The nerve passing over this area and perhaps the extensor tendon to the big toe can become compressed under the laces and create significant pain. The best way to see if this is creating top of the foot pain at the middle of your foot is to relace your shoe and skip the lace eyelets that pass over it. If this fixes the problem, great! That was it. If not you may need to visit the sports doc to see what else may be creating the problem. A second place where compression injury may occur is over the front of the ankle. Occasionally laces that are tied high and tight and run up over the front of the ankle end up compressing the nerves and tendons in the front of the foot and causing pain. The first approach to this should be to lower the lacing system and have it stop before the curve of the front of your ankle. http://www.drpribut.com/sports/spshoe.html
 * Having knowledge of foot injuries and problems allows us to work our best to create a shoe that will not cause these injuries to our consumers**

Christopher McDougall, author of the forthcoming [|Born to Run], excerpts a section of his book that suggests costly, tech-term-laden training shoes aren't helping runners all that much—and they may actually be hurting. McDougall draws from sports science, evolutionary study, and evidence from coaches and running teams that shoes with top-of-the-line "support," "impact resistance," and other features have actually resulted in more injuries for runners than using cheap, low-tech sneakers. There's actually an argument made for running barefoot as, McDougall argues, the human body was designed for.

Dr Daniel Lieberman, professor of biological anthropology at Harvard University, has been studying the growing injury crisis in the developed world for some time and has come to a startling conclusion: 'A lot of foot and knee injuries currently plaguing us are caused by people running with shoes that actually make our feet weak, cause us to over-pronate (ankle rotation) and give us knee problems. 'Until 1972, when the modern athletic shoe was invented, people ran in very thin-soled shoes, had strong feet and had a much lower incidence of knee injuries.'

Don't go tossing out your sneaks just yet, though—any doctor will tell you that a sudden change in footwear will almost certainly cause pain and injury. Seeing as how most of us have been running with modern sneakers since we could really run, barefoot or thin leather soles aren't going to cut it. But keep the injury evidence in mind next time you feel obligated to pay top dollars for something you're born to do anyways. http://lifehacker.com/5221135/expensive-running-shoes-arent-a-necessity
 * Being that humans were originally created to run and walk on our bare feet, we used this idea and ran with it. Thus, creating a light-weight, but durable, shoe that brings the consumer back to the good ol' days.**