Masai Barefoot Technology shoes

**WDB** · 20th November 2007, 01:24 PM

Does anyone have any views on Masai Barefoot Technology shoes, they have very squishy heels that are supposed to fix posture and back-ache problems, the scientific evidence looks a bit sketchy to me. I've fallen out with a friend over them, I successfully talked him out of getting an Ijoy ( robotic horse riding exercise machine) but he's determined to get the shoes.

**vbloke** · 20th November 2007, 01:38 PM

I've emailed them for their research papers (there's nothing in the way of evidence on the actual site) on the effects of their shoes on the human body - I'd suggest your friend does the same before purchasing them.

**Matt** · 20th November 2007, 02:24 PM

They seem quite well priced to me, so much so that I can't even reach the minimum order level

**vbloke** · 21st November 2007, 03:47 PM

I've been sent some of their research papers - to quote from the conclusion of a study that featured their shoes

In this study the MBT shoe promoted a more ideal anatomical alignment at heel strike and toe off, however it is not possible to determine the clinical relevance of these changes to posture. Due to the small sample group used the results cannot be generalised to a wider population and the study is susceptible to a type II error.

Although every attempt was made to ensure validity and reliability it must be appreciated that the author is a novice researcher and it is therefore quite possible that a degree of operator error and bias have occurred. The study was a two dimensional motion analysis which presented problems with accuracy when markers were occluded by the upper limb while subjects were walking. The marker position had to be estimated digitally by eye and therefore reliability reduced. Although the equipment was deemed accurate by research [16] [17] [18] and every effort made to ensure markers were placed on the correct bony landmarks, there remains the possibility that movement of the skin over the landmarks could have effected data accuracy.

An interesting difference between this study and those previously conducted was that participants received neither formal instruction by a qualified instructor on the correct use of the shoe, nor was there any training period allowed. Therefore the changes seen are more likely to be as a result of the MBT shoe; but it is not known if this has prevented the shoes from demonstrating a greater effect on upright posture.

Conclusion
In summary this study has shown that wearing MBT shoes changes certain characteristics of posture in quiet standing and walking. This suggests that the footwear promote a more optimal skeletal alignment helping to oppose the forces of gravity and protect joints from injury, which could have positive implications for the treatment and management of musculoskeletal conditions such as osteoarthritis and back pain. However, no firm conclusions can be drawn from this study and further research is needed. Future investigations need to be conducted with larger sample groups on subjects who express clinical postural dysfunction and mechanical back pain.

(bolding mine)