Sichting & Holowka 2020, toe springs and walking biomechanics

Scientific Reports study (Sci Rep 10:14643) in which participants walked in sandals with toe-spring curvatures from 10 to 40 degrees. Greater toe-spring curvature lowered the work required at the toes during walking. The authors suggest this is why toe springs have featured in footwear for centuries, but caution that by offloading the foot muscles they may contribute over time to weaker feet and conditions such as plantar fasciitis. The work is in walking, not running.