Health & Safety > Medical Research

 

    

Better Alignment.


Even highly trained dancers are better aligned in Gaynor Minden, according to a study at the Exercise Science Department at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Proper alignment is crucial for ballet technique, for correct muscular development and for protecting the joints from injury. Forces to the ankle during vigorous dancing can reach 10 times body weight, misalignment can transmit these potentially injurious forces to the medial/lateral ankle structures. Kinematic analysis of the dancers’ ankles showed that sickling is reduced and subjects stand straighter in Gaynor Mindens than in traditional shoes.

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Worthen, L et al., “Biomechanical Issues in Ballet: Alignment at the Ankle in Pointe Shoes,” Performing Artists Medicine Association, proceedings of Annual Meeting, 1997.

Ng, G. et al., “F-Scan Evaluation of a Revolutionary Pointe Shoe Design,” Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine 14th Annual Scientific Seminar, 1999.

Cunningham, B.W. et al., “A Comparative Mechanical Analysis of the Pointe Shoe Toe Box,” American Journal of Sports Medicine 26(4):555-561, 1998.

 

  

Superior Motion Control, Weight Distribution, and Stability.

Researchers from the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine also studied issues of stability and alignment, in this case using a pedabaragraph. Gaynor Minden again proved superior to other shoes and was shown to have a 38% greater useable platform area.

Greater Impact Absorption.

In addition, the Temple University team assessed shock absorption, using advanced F-Scan technology, which enabled them to detect actual pressures to specific areas of the foot during dancing. Again, Gaynor Minden proved superior. All subjects in the Temple University studies were professional dancers.

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Much Better Durability.

A study at The Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory of Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine, evaluated the durability of various brands of pointe shoes using a machine that simulates relevé. Gaynor Minden was still going strong after 248,000 relevé cycles. The others didn’t come close.

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