Shoes with 'toe spring' may increase risk of injury, study finds

Upwards curvature means foot muscles do less work, potentially weakening them over time

They may feel comfy, but wearing shoes that curve upwards at the front may be weakening your foot muscles and increasing your risk of injury.

This curvature, known as a toe spring", is a common feature of many shoes, especially trainers. It helps the front part of the foot to roll forwards when walking or running, enhancing the comfort of thick and cushioned soles. But despite their ubiquity, the effect of toe springs on our foot muscles had not been well studied, until now.