TECHNOLOGY EXPLAINED
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How Healus Technology improves posture, walking and running performances.
Healus Ltd’s patented technology helps the user with movement control through Sense Enhancement™. The Healus sole also provides Sole Force Distribution™ which prevents high strains to the human body on impact1. Because of its unique localised rigidity the sole allows and guides the full natural movement of walking, running and jumping2.
Healus footwear facilitates the activity of the extensor muscles, which results in an improved posture in standing and walking3,4,5. The Healus shock plate and the heel-less sole shape bring about a “stretch shortening cycle” during standing and walking6,7. This response by the anti-gravity muscles of the human body gives the person an automatic posture improvement8:
it straightens and lengthens the human body.
Healus shoes align the human body by helping to bring its centre of gravity straight above the ankle joints and metatarsal-phalangeal joints (ball of the foot)1.
This “centres” and aligns the ankles, knees, hips, spine, shoulders and headin line with the centre-of-gravity. It has long been known that good posture is the key to the prevention and treatment of musculo-skeletal pains and strains and other ailments9.
A straight and tall posture, and a more efficient and graceful movement will benefit one’s physical and mental health and will be immediately noticed10.
Unlike “toning footwear” such as MBT and Skechers Shape-Ups Healus’s technology makes walking and running easier, quicker, more economical and stable11,12,13.
Scientific studies across the world have demonstrated that conventional running shoes only marginally reduce the impact forces, because of the pronounced heel strike which is encouraged by traditional shoe designs14,15,16,17. Many experts in this field consider that the high prevalence of running injuries is related to the runner leaning into the soft heel and developing a habit of un-natural heel striking when running18,19,20.
Shoes with a Healus shoe sole do not only encourage an efficient running stride, they also reduce the strain on injury-prone parts of the body such as the Achilles tendon, the plantar fascia and the patella-femoral joint21,22,23,24.
The Healus shock plate has unique material characteristics which give the foot additional rigidity on impact, without taking away any flexibility which is required for the foot to roll 2. Through Sense Enhancement™ the body gets additional feedback and feed forward information which allows the person to run with improved movement control6. For example avoiding a heavy heel strike will improve performance because there is less braking during every step. Taking away the impact forces from heel striking will also reduce the strain on the body and therefore reduces the overuse injuries runners so often incur1,25.
An additional benefit of the Sole Force Distribution system is superior shock absorption2,25,26. This has shown to be of particular benefit to distance running27. On hard roads runners can run for longer at speed. Both in training and in road races muscle soreness and overuse injuries have been prevented28.
References
[1] Hartveld, A. (2007), “Footwear with sole force distribution and sense enhancement”, PCT Patent application, publication WO/2007/026175, www.wipo.int
[2] Hartveld, A. (2007), “Heelless sports shoe with force transmission”, Patent description, UK IP Office, patent no GB 2 437 698 A.
[3] Hartveld, A. & Chockalingam, N. (2004), “Shock absorption during jumping barefoot and in shoes”, Int. J. Podiatric Biomech. Summer 2004.
[4] af Klint, R., Cronin N.J., Ishikawa, M., Sinkjaer, T. & Grey, M.J. (2010), “Afferent Contribution to Locomotor Muscle Activity During Unconstrained Overground Human Walking: An Analysis of Triceps Surae Muscle Fascicles”, J. Neurophysiology, 103, 3, p1262-1274
[5] Ng, E.C.T, Chui, M.P.Y., Siu, A.Y.K., Yam, W.N. & Ng, Y.F. “Ankle positioning and knee perturbation affect temporal recruitment of the vasti muscles in people with patellofemoral pain”, Physiotherapy 97, p 65-70.
[6] Hartveld, A. (2007), “Sports shoe with sense enhancement”, Patent description, UK IP Office, patent no GB 2 431 333 A
[7] New, P. & Pearce, J. (2007) “The effects of Masai Barefoot Technology footwear on posture: an experimental designed study” Physiotherapy Research International 12, 4, p202,
[8] Dietz, V. & Duysens, J. (2000), “Significance of load receptor input during locomotion: a review” Gait & Posture, 11, 2, p 102-110.
[9] Little P, Lewith G, Webley F, et al. (2008), “Randomised controlled trial of Alexander Technique lessons, exercise, and massage (ATEAM) for chronic and recurrent back pain”, BMJ; 337; p884
[10] Hines, D. (2002), “Straigthen up! Good posture can have a rapid effect on improving your health” Vibrant Life, Review and Herald Publishing Association.
[11] Nigg, B., Hintzen, S. & Ferber, R. (2006), “Effect of an unstable shoe construction on lower extremity gait characteristics”, Clinical Biomechanics, 21, p82-88.
[12] Romkes, J., Rudmann, C. & Brunner, R. (2006), Changes in gait and EMG when walking with the Masai Barefoot Technique Clinical Biomechanics, 21, p75-81
[13] Hartveld, A., Greenhalgh, A, Chockalingam, N. & Dunning, D. (2007), “Reduced impact forces in heelless running shoes”, 4th Staffordshire Conference of Clinical Biomechanics, Int. J. Podiatric Biomechanics, 2, 2, 47.
[14] Milani, T.L., Hennig, E.M. & Lafortune, M.A. (1997), “Perceptual and biomechanical variables for running in identical shoe constructions with varying midsole hardness”, Clin. Biomech., 12, 294-300.
[15] Hennig, E.M., Valiant, G.A. & Liu, Q. (1996), “Biomechanical variables and the perception of cushioning for running in various types of footwear.”, J. Appl. Biomech., 12, 143-150.
[16] Frederick, E.C. (1986), “Kinematically mediated effects of sport shoe design: a review”, J. Sports Sciences, 4, 169-184.
[17] Clarke, T.E., Frederick, E.C. & Cooper, L.B. (1983), “Effects of shoe cushioning upon ground reaction forces in running”, Int. J. Sports Med., 4, 247-251.
[18] Scholten, S.S., Stergiou, N., Hreljac, A, Houser, J., Blanke, D & Alberts, L.R. (2002), “Foot strike patterns after obstacle clearance during running”, Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., 34, 1, 123-129.
[19] Lieberman, D.E. et al (2010), “Foot strike patterns and collision forces in habitually barefoot versus shod runners”, Nature, 463, 531-535.
[20] Richards, C.E., Magin, P J, Callister, R. (2009), “Is your prescription of distance running shoes evidence-based?” Reviews, British Journal of Sports Medicine; 43:159-162.
[21] Hartveld, A. & Chockalingam, N. (2004), “Shock absorption during jumping barefoot and in shoes”, Int. J. Podiatric Biomech. Summer 2004.
[22] Hartveld, A., Chockalingam, N. & Greenhalgh, A. (2005), “Reduced impact forces in running in shoes with forward slanted soles”, 3rd Staffordshire Conference on Clinical Biomechanics.
[23] Hartveld, A. & Chockalingam, N. (2004b), “Shoe advice to prevent injuries”, presentation at the Staffordshire Biomechanics Conference April 2004, proceedings in Int. J. Podiatric Biomech.
[24] Naemi, R. (2010), “Mathematical modelling and its influence on footwear design”, Proceedings of 8th Staffordshire Conference on Clinical Biomechanics, Stoke-on-Trent.
[25] Hartveld, A. (2009) “From barefoot to heeled and heelless footwear - how humans avoid high heel impact” ;7th Staffordshire Conference of Clinical Biomechanics, Stoke-on-Trent.
[26] Greenhalgh, A. & Sinclair, J. (2009) “Impact force characteristics in heelless footwear compared to conventional running shoes”, 7th Staffordshire Conference of Clinical Biomechanics, Stoke-on-Trent.
[27] Wiegerinck, J.I. et al (2009), “Differences in plantar loading between training shoes and racing flats at a self-selected running speed”, Gait & Posture, 29, 3, p514-519.
[28] Hartveld, A., Haverkamp, T., Havinga, H., Moorcroft, D. & Cole, B. (2005-2010), Collation of Subjective Feedback reports from Healus Trial runners running on prototype shoes HSD 25-67 May 2005 – June 2010, available on request.
Shoe stability on the road and on trails is enhanced through the optimally accommodating sole. The sole features prevent excessive pronation (rolling in) and excessive supination (rolling out) of the ankles and feet.
The lightweight composite materials used in the Healus® shoe with its patented construction ensure that the runner’s performance is optimized.
