Recently, I had to buy a new pair of shoes. As I started researching, trying to decide what I wanted, I came across an interesting post about feet. That put me into research mode, and the results just begged to be featured in a DYK.

 

The Foot

Did you know a baby’s feet don’t finish developing before birth? They’re flat until around age two or three when the arches form. It takes even longer for each foot’s 26 “bones”—which begin as mostly cartilage—to harden. That doesn’t happen until age 21.

Besides the 26 bones, a foot has 33 joints, 19 muscles, 10 tendons, and 107 ligaments. Each foot also has 125,000 sweat glands and 4,000 nerves. Those nerves work as “little brains,” continually communicating with your brain, helping you maintain your balance and keeping you upright and steady.

Did You Know…

• 25% of your body’s bones are in your feet.
• The soles of your feet have more nerve endings and sweat glands per square inch, than any other area of the body.
• Like fingerprints, footprints are unique and one-of-a-kind. So, too, is a person’s gait.
• One cup of sweat is released by the average foot each day. However, during high intensity exercise (like running five miles), that can increase to two to three cups.
• Foot odor is caused by the bacteria that break down dead skin cells and sweat.

 

Movement

We use our feet to stand, dance, jump, walk, and run. That means our feet provide balance, generate momentum, and act as natural shock absorbers.

Some people take 8,000-10,000 steps per day, which equates to about 115,000 miles in a lifetime. In the U.S., the average person only takes 3,000-4,000 steps per day.

Did You Know…

• 115,000 miles is more than four trips around the world.
• Each foot’s big toe is the most important thing for maintaining balance.
• When walking, feet support up to 1.5 times a person’s body weight. When running, feet absorb up to 4-5 times a person’s body weight.

 

Shoes

Running around barefoot is the way our feet function best. Unfortunately, for most of us, shoes are a necessary evil.

According to Washington University in St. Louis, humans began wearing shoes about 40,000 years ago. The oldest preserved shoe discovered—made from a single piece of leather and dating back to 3,500 BC—was found in a cave in present-day Armenia. In most cultures, though, wearing shoes didn’t become common until about 3,000 BC.

Your feet will continue to grow throughout your life, and they change as your body changes. Pregnancy, weight gain, age, bone density, and ligament flexibility can all cause feet to widen or lengthen. So, it’s important to check your foot size before buying new shoes.

Did You Know…

• During the fourteenth century, the United Kingdom began measuring shoes sizes based on barleycorns.
• High heels weren’t designed for walking, but for riding horses. For centuries, they were an essential piece of equipment for Persian (today’s Iran) cavalry. The heel enabled a soldier to stand up securely in the stirrups, shooting his bow and arrow more effectively.
• In the 1600s, European men adopted Persian men’s high heels. In the following years, when women adopted elements of men’s dress, high-heeled shoes shifted to women’s shoes.
• Feet can temporarily expand during the day.
• As the U.S. population gets larger (taller and heavier), so too does its foot size.
• Since the 1970s, the U.S.’s average foot size has increased two sizes. For women, the most popular shoe size increased from 7½ to 8½. For men, the increase went from 9½ to 10½.
• While retailers have adjusted to this foot size change and made shoes larger, 50% of women and 33.33% of men report buying shoes that don’t fit.

 

Health

Feet offer clues about a person’s overall health. Many serious health issues can be signaled by foot pain or abnormalities. Some potential posture or body imbalance issues can be indicated by certain foot shapes. The soles can reveal signs of nutritional deficiencies. Other health issues can be indicated by changes in toenail color or texture. Foot pain or swelling can signal problems like diabetes or heart and nerve problems.

Did You Know…

• 12% of all bacteria on the human body live on your feet—that’s two trillion bacteria.
• Dry feet reduce the possibility of infection.
• Having feet that are ticklish is a good thing. A decline in foot sensitivity could be a sign of a medical condition often linked to diabetes.
• When it comes to foot problems, women have four times as many as men, and they usually stem from ill-fitting shoes.
• In the U.S., 80% of people over 21 have reported having a foot ailment.
• One in three adults over the age of 65 will experience some type of foot pain, but 75% of people in general will experience foot problems at some point in their lives.
• Only 20% of people think about their foot health regularly.
• Acupressure has been proven to relieve foot pain.
• Massaging feet can reduce stress, boost circulation, and improve mood and overall health.

 

Summary

Feet are some of the most sensitive yet toughest body parts. They’re also some of the most overworked and underappreciated. But they’re an essential part of the body. The older you get, the more wear and tear they see, meaning the chance of having foot problems goes up. And when your feet hurt, everything hurts. So, don’t forget to monitor your foot health.

Did You Know…

• In various cultures around the world, feet had symbolic meanings, inspired traditions, and dictated fashion trends.
• Ancient Egyptians thought touching a person’s feet was a sign of disrespect. In other cultures, showing your sole is disrespectful.
• Egyptians, Greeks, and other ancient cultures used foot impressions as a form of art and record-keeping.