The role of unstable shoe constructions for the improvement of postural control

Postural control has been defined as the control of the bodys position in space for the purposes of balance and orientation. Given the mechanical instability of the human body system, the neural process involved in stability organization and body orientation in space is necessary almost all motor actions. To manage movement variability, the postural control system presents a high adaptability in response to changing task and environment demands. The main sensory systems contribute to the development of an internal representation of body posture that is continuously updated based on multisensory feedback and is used to forward commands to control body position in space. For example, understanding the importance of proprioceptive information, and how ankle muscles can influence changes of support and stability that could improve postural control is of significant relevance. The purpose of this chapter is to review and discuss the short and long term influence of wearing an unstable shoe construction on postural control. The review provides instinctive knowledge that can be used during rehabilitation to improve motor performance. It also aims to provide a significant insight into areas that have been dedicated to the implementation of preventive measures, such as ergonomy.