FG designers design a Shoe is based primarily on the anatomy and the mechanical functionality of the human foot. The second consideration is intended use of the footwear which will determine the choice of materials and structure of the shoes. Finally, style and fashion should influence the outward appearance of the shoe without compromising its comfort. The feet are very complex structures with many interdependent components.
The bones provide structural support. The heel bone or calcaneus adjoins the tarsal and metatarsal bones which are fairly rigidly connected to each other and do not have much movement at the joints. The metatarsals are joined to the phalanges or toe bones. The joints between the metatarsals and the phalanges form the ball of the foot which is very important for walking. Ligaments and tendons hold the bones together and control their range of movement.
The Achilles tendon attaches the heel bone to the calf muscles and is the most important tendon for walking, jumping, and running. Nerves convey sensations from the sole and the toes, and control muscle movements. Blood vessels provide nutrients to all the structures of the foot. The functions of the feet are to bear the weight of the body and provide locomotion. While standing, the body is supported by both feet, and the weight is distributed between the foot pads and the heels. A human footprint shows precisely which parts of the foot support the weight of the body.
The toes do not make much contact with the ground, but they provide balance. When walking, the complete weight of the body is placed on the heel during each step, and as the body moves forward, the weight shifts to the ball of the foot, and finally, to the toes. A running gait generally involves landing on the ball of the foot and not the heel. This allows the calf muscles to dampen the shock. Vigorous activities, like running or jumping, place additional pressure on the feet which may be equivalent to several times the body weight.
