Study: high heels still terrible for your legs

If you’re looking to be a stronger runner, or just avoid injury, spending less time in high heels is a good idea.

It’s been suggested that high heels are bad for your legs because of the chain reaction of muscle- and tendon-shortening they cause in the posterior chain, but beyond that it seems they are also responsible weaker ankle muscles and worse balance, even while not wearing them.

Hanseo University researchers looked at 40 university women – 10 from each of four years – who were in school to become flight attendants and were required to wear high heels three days each week to prepare them for the demands of the job.

At first, the researchers found that wearing the heels strengthened the muscles around the ankle. The women in their second and third years of school had stronger muscles around the ankle and their freshman peers, but the women in their fourth year began to show signs of developing muscle imbalances and worsening balance, more so than even the freshman group.

Many women love wearing high heels, but there is little reason to think three-inch pumps are good for your balance or ankle strength, let alone the dangers of drastically shortening your calf muscles and achilles tendon. To keep your legs happy, don’t wear heels too often and stretch your calves afterwards.