Falls are a major source of injuries and health problems for the elderly, and the shoes preferred by older adults for comfort may contribute to balance problems and subsequent falls.
Many older people wear athletic shoes because their cushioned soles are comfortable.
But Canadian researchers have found that shoes with springy, highly resilient soles interfere with balance. Study subjects stood on different surface types while researchers observed how well they balanced. Subjects were more likely to sway and have difficulty balancing on the more resilient surfaces. Firmer surfaces made balance easier. Doctors believe the balance problems could be because cushioned shoes make it difficult to detect the exact position of your feet and to make adjustments in posture to compensate for balance problems.