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CHILDRENS FOOTWEAR


Let your children’s feet develop as nature intended


Barefoot is best.... A


n estimated 70% of your brain’s information for movement comes from the nerves on the soles of your feet. The more you can feel the ground, the greater your body’s understanding of its surrounding environment and natural movement, at least that’s the theory behind the Vivo Barefoot brand. Created in collaboration with leading footwear technologists and


approved by podiatrists, Vivobarefoot’s Kids is a lightweight and super-flexible shoe line with a thin patented, puncture-resistant sole designed to mimic what foot specialists have long known, that children walk best barefoot. As children our movement is naturally correct, but through a


combination of cushioned soles and poor posture we have developed bad movement habits that have made us inefficient and injury prone. VIVOBAREFOOT helps reawaken the body to unlock the potential created by six million years of evolution. From kids to casual to waterproof hikers and performance sports, VIVOBAREFOOT offers a barefoot lifestyle solution for the whole family. No heel, no midsole, no arch support, no gimmicks - VIVOBAREFOOT works with the body not against it.


Let your children’s feet develop as nature intended A child’s foot is not a miniature version of an adult’s foot. In early


development, a child’s foot is widest across the toes. Most of a child’s developing foot is cartilage, which is gradually replaced by bone. If the cartilage is deformed by badly shaped or rigid shoes, the bone will take on the deformed shape. More than 80% of foot problems, bunions and injuries are a result of misshaped and inflexible shoes... It’s vital that kid's shoes allow enough room for natural growth, until


foot bones mature. This doesn’t happen until age 18–19 for girls and 20– 21 for boys. Simply put; inflexible, poorly shaped shoes are potentially harmful; restricting natural movement and development of the foot. Flat feet are most common in children who wear closed-toe shoes, less


common in those who wore sandals or slippers, and least in the unshod. A study of 2,300 children showed the incidence of flatfoot was 8.6% in those who wore shoes and 2.8% in those who did not wear shoes. In 2009, an independent medical study directed by Podiatrist


Annette Thompson, of Cape Town University tested VIVOBAREFOOT on children without foot imbalances or deformities. Three different sets of measurements were taken from the 22


participating chil¬dren. Firstly an Airex balance pad was used to test proprioception and balance. Secondly, a dynamic pressure test was done with the RS Scan* system; tests were performed in the children’s old school shoes, barefoot and in VIVOBAREFOOT. Lastly, the children were tested on a Humac Isokinetic Dynamometer** for plantarflexion, dorsiflexion, inversion, eversion, range of motion and strength (in terms of torque). With parent collaboration, the children only wore VIVOBAREFOOT


school shoes or walked barefoot for the following two months, then the tests were repeated.


Test results showed:


• Improved foot muscle strength, in all cases. • Improved proprioception (balance). • Improved ankle function and strength (plantarflexion, dorsiflexion, inversion, eversion).


• Improved strength recovery and muscle tone (particularly in the children who had previously worn rigid soled shoes).


• Results for barefoot and VIVOBAREFOOT were almost identical. • These findings support the recommendations of other studies internationally, that shoes for children should be designed on a barefoot model.


VIVOBAREFOOT has now been awarded approval by the SA Podiatry Association.


VIVOBAREFOOT additional features • Recycled, sweat absorbing and antibacterial shoe liner. • Breathable, removable and washable footbed. • Anatomically aligned to the axis of the foot, allowing toes to move; vital for correct foot function.


• Vegan options available. • Non sweat shop production (independently monitored).


Transition to barefoot with Stimulation Stan • Your feet will need time to adjust. • Do not rush into doing heavy exercise in VIVOBAREFOOT. • Listen to your body and build up your barefoot activities slowly, especially if the muscles and nerve endings have been encased in regular shoes all their life.


• VIVOBAREFOOT was designed by a tennis player to avoid ankle injuries so all sports are possible in VIVOBAREFOOT.


Before going out barefoot running, please watch the educational video, Learning the Skill of Barefoot Running with Lee Saxby at www.vivobarefoot.com


About VIVOBAREFOOT In 2001 Galahad Clark, 6th generation shoemaker from the Clarks


family, took over the eco-friendly shoe company Terra Plana and set about transforming the fortunes of the brand by creating products that combined comfort, sustainability and style. Shortly after this, Clark ran into an old university friend who


introduced him to the benefits of natural movement. His friend had suffered tennis injuries and began training barefoot upon the advice of his father, who was an Alexander technique practitioner. The training worked and his injuries improved. Clark, who already understood the importance of foot health through his exposure to Eastern medicine, began talking to experts, coaches, and biomechanics. He discovered that many also believed being barefoot, or as close to as possible, is the healthiest way to be. In 2004, with the help of podiatrists and movement specialists, Terra Plana developed VIVOBAREFOOT with a mission to improve general well- being. With a patented ultra thin puncture resistant sole, VIVOBAREFOOT offers maximum sensory feedback with maximum protection. Six years on, as research to support barefoot health grows, so does demand. Terra Plana now offer a total lifestyle solution for the whole family. “Terra Plana products have always been about anatomic design,


shoes that are good for you and kind to the environment, which is why we embraced the barefoot philosophy before there was a body of research to support it,” states Clark. “As a company dedicated to sustainable design, it makes sense that you should be more connected to the ground you walk on and minimalist footwear is the embodiment of this.”


28 • FOOTWEAR TODAY


• AUGUST 2011


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