Proprioceptive footwear for the elderly ?&quest;

CLErunner

Sun, 11 Jun 2017 15:17:53 GMT

It's time for me to take my father shoe shopping for his daily walking workouts at the fitness center, which he does as part of his continued therapy maintenance after suffering several strokes and other issues which have affected his balance and physical abilities as can be he case when you are approaching 80 years of age. In my gut, I believe that a more neutral to minimal shoe with good proprioceptive feel would be better than the moderate stability shoes I have him in now. I was looking for a good article by Dr. Mark or the Sock Doc to back up my feelings, but have not found much on the subject from trusted sources. Any opinions here? Pointers to god studies proving or disproving my assumptions?

CLErunner

Sun, 11 Jun 2017 15:18:39 GMT

By the way, don't let him know I called him "elderly"!

Tawnee Gibson

Mon, 12 Jun 2017 14:30:41 GMT

My first thought is to go ahead and recommend minimalist shoes just like we would anyone else, but I also asked the Sock Doc just to see if he had a different thought. Nope, he agreed. So, Have him check out the brands: Vivobarefoot (very minimalist and you feel everything) Skora (if they are back up and running these are good) Lems (a bit softer sole) Xero Shoes This assumes he's in good enough physical condition with the green light from his doctor to participate in the fitness program (which it sounds like he is)! You can always have a PT (or someone similar) look over his gait just to make sure he's moving well and no glaring issues with over-pronation, etc.

CLErunner

Mon, 12 Jun 2017 16:06:43 GMT

Thanks for confirming my thoughts. And yes, all activities are under PT and medical guidance. We have a NRC certified store locally here in Cleveland which I support and which we will be visiting. All the brands you mention are constants in my closet, with the addition of Topo Athletic.

Tawnee Gibson

Mon, 12 Jun 2017 16:49:12 GMT

Cool! Good luck and LMK how he likes them.