AN ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR FOR STRENGTHENING AND RELAXING FOOT AND LOWER LEG MUSCLES

Abstract

Footwear for strengthening and relaxing foot and calf muscles and for developing overall body coordination includes: a device for fastening the footwear to the user's foot, and a flat sole, the underside of which is in contact with the ground, and the upper side of which is provided with a training element for interacting with the user's foot, the training element being exchangeable, and fastenable in the upper layer of the sole. In another embodiment, the device for fastening the footwear to the foot includes elastic straps secured to the edges of the sole, and a flat sole, the underside of which contacts the ground, and the upper side of which is provided with a training element for interacting with the user's foot, the training element being an insole having through-slots through which the straps can be passed.

Claims

1. An article of footwear for strengthening foot and lower leg muscles and for developing overall body coordination, comprising a means for fastening the article of footwear to the wearer's foot, a flat sole, the underside of which is in contact with flooring, and the upper surface of which is constructed with a training element for interacting with the wearer's foot, characterized in that the training element is designed to be exchangeable for changing the type of training and is secured within the sole upper layer via a spike connection, or snap fasteners, or an adhesive layer, or a textile fastener.

2-5. (canceled)

6. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein it is designed for wearing on either right or left foot.

7-8. (canceled)

9. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the training element is configured in the form of a flat insole with a thickness of 5 to 60 mm.

10. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the training element is configured in the form of a flat insole having a smooth outer surface providing for the foot sliding over a smooth surface.

11. The article of footwear of claim 10, wherein the training element further includes an elastic tricot cover providing for the foot sliding over a smooth surface.

12. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the training element is configured in the form of a semi-cylinder or a polyhedron having its base secured on the sole upper surface along the longitudinal axis of the latter.

13-19. (canceled)

20. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the training element is configured in the form of a flat insole having arranged, on its upper surface, in the forepart, a segment having a triangular cross-section and gradually narrowing towards the insole central part, thus causing the foot toe portion to be raised in the vertical plane.

21-27. (canceled)

28. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the training element is configured in the form of a convex hemisphere arranged in the sole central part, wherein the surface in contact with the foot causes the foot's transverse arch to be flexed along the convex surface.

29-31. (canceled)

32. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the training element is configured in the form of an elastic insole having an upturned forepart region configured to straighten under the force exerted by the foot when walking.

33-34. (canceled)

35. An article of footwear for strengthening foot and lower leg muscles and for developing overall body coordination, comprising a means for fastening the article of footwear to the wearer's foot, a flat sole, the underside of which is in contact with flooring, and the upper surface of which is constructed with a training element for interacting with the wearer's foot, characterized in that the means for fastening the article of footwear to the foot is configured in the form of elastic slings secured at the edges of the sole, and the training element in the form of an insole has through cutouts through which the slings can be passed and is designed to be exchangeable.

36-42. (canceled)

43. The article of footwear of claim 35, wherein the training element is provided with a semi-cylinder or polyhedron secured on its upper surface, under the foot arch or under the waist area, perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis.

44. (canceled)

45. The article of footwear of claim 35, wherein the training element has a triangular diagonal section and gradually narrows in the direction from the outer heel seat region towards the inner forepart region, thus causing the outer region of the foot heel portion to be raised and causing the front inner region of the foot toe portion to gradually descend in the diagonal direction in the vertical plane.

46. The article of footwear of claim 35, wherein the training element has a triangular diagonal section and narrows in the direction from the inner heel seat region towards the outer forepart region of the sole, thus causing the inner region of the foot heel portion to be raised and causing the front outer region of the foot toe portion to gradually descend in the diagonal direction in the vertical plane.

47. The article of footwear of claim 35, wherein the training element has a triangular diagonal section and narrows in the direction from the outer region of the foot toe portion towards the inner region of the foot heel portion, thus causing the outer region of the foot toe portion to be raised and causing the inner region of the foot heel portion to gradually descend in the diagonal direction in the vertical plane.

48. The article of footwear of claim 35, wherein the training element has a triangular diagonal section and narrows in the direction from the inner forepart region towards the outer heel seat region, thus causing the inner region of the foot toe portion to be raised in the vertical plane and causing the foot to be turned outwardly.

49. The article of footwear of claim 35, wherein the training element has its outer surface gradually sloping from the insole outer edge towards its inner edge, thus causing the foot outer portion to be raised in the horizontal plane and causing the foot to be turned inwardly.

50. The article of footwear of claim 35, wherein the training element has its outer surface gradually sloping from its inner edge to its outer edge, thus causing the foot inner portion to be raised in the horizontal plane and causing the foot to be turned outwardly.

51. The article of footwear of claim 35, wherein the training element is provided with flat thickened portion arranged under the heel portion, arch and metatarsus so as to form a bench under the foot's metatarsophalangeal joints.

52-53. (canceled)

54. The article of footwear of claim 35, wherein the training element includes an ellipsoid or a semi-cylinder secured between the hallux and the second toe.

55-56. (canceled)

57. A training kit, characterized in that it includes the article of footwear of claim 1 and at least two training elements configured to be exchangeable for changing the type of training.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0071] FIG. 1 shows footwear models with various designs of the means for fastening to the foot.

[0072] FIG. 2 shows an article of footwear with a training element, wherein a connection is configured in the form of tenons and respective mortises.

[0073] FIG. 3 shows an article of footwear with a training element in the form of a semi-cylinder secured on the sole upper surface along the longitudinal axis of the latter via a tongue and groove connection.

[0074] FIG. 4 shows an article of footwear with a training element in the form of a flat insole following the shape of the sole of different thicknesses.

[0075] FIG. 5 shows an article of footwear with a training element in the form of an insole having a semi-cylinder along the longitudinal axis, which is secured on the sole outer surface via tongue and groove connections.

[0076] FIG. 6 shows an article of footwear with a training element in the form of an insole having a semi-cylinder along the longitudinal axis, which is secured on the sole outer surface by means of snap fasteners.

[0077] FIG. 7 shows an article of footwear with the training element in the form of a flat insole having, on its upper surface, under the foot arch or under the waist area, a semi-cylinder arranged perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis and secured on the sole outer surface via a spike connection.

[0078] FIG. 8 shows an article of footwear with a training element in the form of a sole segment having a triangular cross-section and narrowing towards the sole inner edge, which is arranged under the foot's outer side, thus causing the lateral border of the foot to be raised in the horizontal plane and causing the foot to be turned inwardly.

[0079] FIG. 9 shows an article of footwear with a training element in the form of a sole segment, having a triangular cross-section and gradually narrowing towards the sole outer edge, secured on the sole outer surface via a spike connection, thus causing the medial border of the foot to be raised in the horizontal plane and causing the foot to be turned outwardly.

[0080] FIG. 10-11 shows an article of footwear with a training element in the form of a sole forepart segment having a triangular cross-section and gradually narrowing towards the sole central part, secured on the sole outer surface via tongue and groove connections, thus causing the foot toe portion to be raised in the vertical plane.

[0081] FIG. 12 shows an article of footwear with a training element in the form of a flat insole having arranged, on its upper surface, in the forepart, a segment having a triangular cross-section and gradually narrowing towards the insole central part, secured on the sole upper surface via a tongue and groove connection or via a mortise and tenon connection as shown in FIG. 13.

[0082] FIG. 14 shows an article of footwear with a training element in the form of an insole having a triangular diagonal section and gradually narrowing in the direction from the outer heel seat region towards the inner forepart region, secured on the sole upper surface via a tongue and groove connection, thus causing the outer region of the foot heel portion to be raised and causing the front inner region of the foot toe portion to gradually descend in the diagonal direction in the vertical plane.

[0083] FIG. 15 shows an article of footwear with a training element in the form of an insole having a triangular diagonal section and narrowing in the direction from the inner heel seat region towards the outer forepart region of the sole, secured on the sole upper surface via a tongue and groove connection, thus causing the inner region of the foot heel portion to be raised and causing the front outer region of the foot toe portion to gradually descend in the diagonal direction in the vertical plane.

[0084] FIG. 16 shows an article of footwear with a training element in the form of an insole having a triangular diagonal section and narrowing in the direction from the outer forepart region towards the inner heel seat region, secured on the sole upper surface via a tongue and groove connection, thus causing the outer region of the foot toe portion to be raised and causing the inner region of the foot heel portion to gradually descend in the diagonal direction in the vertical plane.

[0085] FIG. 17 shows an article of footwear with a training element in the form of a flat insole having a triangular diagonal section and narrowing in the direction from the insole forepart region inner edge towards the heel seat region outer edge, secured on the sole upper surface via a tongue and groove connection, thus causing the inner region of the foot toe portion to be raised in the vertical plane and causing the foot to be turned outwardly.

[0086] FIG. 18 shows an article of footwear with a training element in the form of a flat insole having its outer surface gradually sloping from the sole outer edge towards its inner edge, secured on the sole upper surface via a tongue and groove connection, thus causing the foot outer portion to be raised in the horizontal plane and causing the foot to be turned inwardly.

[0087] FIG. 19 shows an article of footwear with a training element in the form of a flat insole having its outer surface gradually sloping from its inner edge to its outer edge, secured on the sole upper surface via a tongue and groove connection, thus causing the foot inner portion to be raised in the horizontal plane and causing the foot to be turned outwardly.

[0088] FIG. 20 shows an article of footwear with a training element in the form of a part of a flat insole, which is arranged under the heel portion, arch and metatarsus, has a bench under the foot metatarsophalangeal joints, and secured on the sole upper surface.

[0089] FIG. 21 shows an article of footwear with a training element in the form of a convex hemisphere arranged in the sole central part, wherein the surface in contact with the foot causes the foot's longitudinal arch to be flexed along the convex surface.

[0090] FIG. 22 shows an article of footwear with a training element in the form of a convex hemisphere arranged in the sole central part, wherein the surface in contact with the foot causes the foot's transverse arch to be flexed along the convex surface.

[0091] FIGS. 23a, 23b show an article of footwear with a training element in the form of an ellipsoid or semi-cylinder arranged between the hallux and the second toe.

[0092] FIG. 24 shows an article of footwear with a training element in the form of an elastic insole having an upturned forepart region which straightens under the force exerted by the foot when walking.

[0093] FIG. 25 shows an article of footwear with a training element comprised of an insole made from a smooth glossy material and an elastic tricot cover.

[0094] FIG. 26 shows embodiments of an article of footwear comprising a training element provided with an elastic layer on its outer surface.

[0095] FIG. 27a-j show embodiments of the elastic layer on the article of footwear outer side.

[0096] FIG. 28 shows an article of footwear with a training element, wherein the training element is provided with an additional elastic layers under the toes.

[0097] FIG. 29 shows an embodiment of an article of footwear, wherein the means for fastening the article of footwear to the foot is configured in the form of textile straps (slings) secured at the sole edges, and the training element is configured in the form of an insole having holes to secure the straps therein.

[0098] FIG. 30 shows an embodiment of an article of footwear, wherein the means for fastening the article of footwear to the foot is configured in the form of textile straps (slings) secured at the sole edges, and the training element is configured in the form of an insole having through cutouts at the insole edge to secure the straps therein.

[0099] FIGS. 31 a-h show an article of footwear with a training element in the form of multi-layered insole, comprised by successive layers of various densities: a flat bottom layer having its outer surface secured on the sole upper surface and having secured on its inner surface a hard element in the form of an ellipse or a semi-circle arranged under the foot arch, an intermediate layer formed of an elastic foam material and having a hole for the hard element, and a top flat layer the outer surface of which is in contact with the foot, the layers being bonded to each other via a glue layer.

[0100] FIG. 32 shows a set of footwear insoles and inserts for training.

[0101] FIG. 33 shows examples of exercises with the use of the article of footwear.

[0102] FIG. 34 shows the outcome of exercises according to Example 16.

EXEMPLARY USES OF THE INVENTION

Example 1

[0103] FIG. 19 shows an article of footwear with a training element in the form of a flat insole having its outer surface gradually sloping from its inner edge to its outer edge, secured on the sole upper surface via a mortise and tenon connection, thus causing the foot inner portion to be raised in the horizontal plane and causing the foot to be turned outwardly. By using such article of footwear, the following muscles are trained. [0104] Foot muscle training: plantar interosseous muscles, lumbrical muscles, plantar aponeuroses, dorsal interosseous muscles. [0105] Lower leg muscle training: posterior tibial muscle (in a smaller extent), anterior tibial muscle (in a greater extent), long peroneal muscle. [0106] Recommended for: improving general physical fitness, transverse platypodia preventing and treating; training duration: 15-20 minutes each alternate day. [0107] Outcomes: in a girl with platypodia, who worn the article of footwear for 15 minutes each alternate day during 1.5 months, the foot arch height increased noticeably, as can be seen from the ‘before’ and ‘after’ footprints in FIG. 34; the legs no longer got tired when walking; an increase in the overall leg muscle tonicity was observed.

Example 2

[0108] FIG. 18 shows an article of footwear with a training element in the form of a flat insole having its outer surface gradually sloping from the sole outer edge towards its inner edge, secured on the sole upper surface via a mortise and tenon connection, thus causing the foot outer portion to be raised in the horizontal plane and causing the foot to be turned inwardly. By using such article of footwear, the following muscles are trained. [0109] Foot muscle training: plantar interosseous muscles, lumbrical muscles, plantar aponeuroses, dorsal interosseous muscles. [0110] Lower leg muscle training: posterior tibial muscle (in a greater extent), anterior tibial muscle (in a smaller extent), long peroneal muscle, short peroneal muscle, third peroneal muscle, inferior peroneal retinaculum, lateral gastrocnemius head. [0111] Recommended for: improving general physical fitness, as an exerciser for preventing and treating various types of talipes, training duration: 15-20 minutes per day.

Example 3

[0112] Where an article of footwear comprising a combination of two different training elements is used (for training), the training element as shown in FIG. 19 is secured onto the left sole, and the training element as shown in FIG. 18 is secured onto the right sole. In this way, asymmetric training is provided, necessitating the lower limb and back muscle stabilization in order to maintain equilibrium. [0113] Left foot muscle training: plantar interosseous muscles, lumbrical muscles, plantar aponeuroses, dorsal interosseous muscles. [0114] Left lower leg muscle training: posterior tibial muscle (in a smaller extent), anterior tibial muscle (in a greater extent), long peroneal muscle. [0115] Right foot muscle training: plantar interosseous muscles, lumbrical muscles, plantar aponeuroses, dorsal interosseous muscles. [0116] Right lower leg muscle training: posterior tibial muscle (in a greater extent), anterior tibial muscle (in a smaller extent), long peroneal muscle, short peroneal muscle, third peroneal muscle, inferior peroneal retinaculum, lateral gastrocnemius head. [0117] Recommended for: improving general physical fitness, transverse platypodia preventing and treating, as an exerciser for preventing and treating various types of talipes, training duration: 15-20 minutes per day.

Example 4

[0118] Where an article of footwear comprising a combination of two different training elements is used (for training), the training element as shown in FIG. 18 is secured onto the left sole, and the training element as shown in FIG. 19 is secured onto the right sole. In this way, asymmetric training is provided, necessitating the lower limb and back muscle stabilization in order to maintain equilibrium. [0119] Left foot muscle training: plantar interosseous muscles, lumbrical muscles, plantar aponeuroses, dorsal interosseous muscles. [0120] Left lower leg muscle training: posterior tibial muscle (in a greater extent), anterior tibial muscle (in a smaller extent), long peroneal muscle, short peroneal muscle, third peroneal muscle, inferior peroneal retinaculum, lateral gastrocnemius head. [0121] Right foot muscle training: plantar interosseous muscles, lumbrical muscles, plantar aponeuroses, dorsal interosseous muscles. [0122] Right lower leg muscle training: posterior tibial muscle (in a smaller extent), anterior tibial muscle (in a greater extent), long peroneal muscle. [0123] Recommended for: improving general physical fitness, transverse platypodia preventing and treating, as an exerciser for preventing and treating various types of talipes; training duration: 15-minutes per day.

Example 5

[0124] FIG. 9 shows an article of footwear with a training element in the form of a sole segment, having a triangular cross-section and gradually narrowing towards the sole outer edge, secured on the sole outer surface via a spike connection, thus causing the medial border of the foot to be raised in the horizontal plane and causing the foot to be turned outwardly. By using such article of footwear, the following muscles are trained. [0125] Foot muscle training: plantar interosseous muscles, lumbrical muscles, plantar aponeuroses, dorsal interosseous muscles. [0126] Lower leg muscle training: posterior tibial muscle (in a smaller extent), anterior tibial muscle (in a greater extent), long peroneal muscle. [0127] Recommended for: improving general physical fitness, transverse platypodia preventing and treating; training duration: 15-20 minutes per day.

Example 6

[0128] FIG. 8 shows an article of footwear with a training element in the form of a sole segment having a triangular cross-section and narrowing towards the sole inner edge, which is arranged under the foot's outer side, thus causing the lateral border of the foot to be raised in the horizontal plane and causing the foot to be turned inwardly. By using such article of footwear, the following muscles are trained. [0129] Foot muscle training: plantar interosseous muscles, lumbrical muscles, plantar aponeuroses, dorsal interosseous muscles. [0130] Lower leg muscle training: posterior tibial muscle (in a greater extent), anterior tibial muscle (in a smaller extent), long peroneal muscle, short peroneal muscle, third peroneal muscle, inferior peroneal retinaculum, lateral gastrocnemius head. [0131] Recommended for: improving general physical fitness, as an exerciser for preventing and treating various types of talipes; training duration: 15-20 minutes per day.

Example 7

[0132] FIGS. 10-13 show an article of footwear with a training element in the form of a sole forepart segment having a triangular cross-section and gradually narrowing towards the sole central part, secured on the sole outer surface via tongue and groove connections, thus causing the foot toe portion to be raised in the vertical plane. By using such article of footwear, the following muscles are trained. [0133] Foot muscle training: plantar interosseous muscles, lumbrical muscles, plantar aponeuroses, dorsal interosseous muscles, extensor digitorum brevis, extensor hallucis brevis, extensor digitorum longus tendons, extensor hallucis longus tendons. [0134] Lower leg muscle training: gastrocnemius muscle. [0135] Recommended for: improving general physical fitness, rehabilitation from extensor digitorum injuries, damaged peroneal nerve recovery; training duration: 15-20 minutes per day. [0136] Outcomes: a girl working at a beauty shop and having to wear high-heeled footwear during working hours, who worn the above article of footwear at home, after work, for 15-20 minutes per day during 2 months, no longer suffered from leg pain or swelling at night.

Example 8

[0137] FIG. 24 shows an article of footwear with a training element in the form of an elastic insole having an upturned forepart region which straightens under the force exerted by the foot when walking. When walking, the toes press and release the forepart region, acting against the insole resistance. By using such article of footwear, the following muscles are trained. [0138] Foot muscle training: plantar interosseous muscles, lumbrical muscles, plantar aponeuroses, dorsal interosseous muscles, flexor digiti minimi brevis, flexor digitorum longus tendons, flexor digitorum brevis tendons, flexor hallucis brevis muscle, flexor hallucis longus tendon, flexor digitorum brevis, extensor digitorum brevis, extensor hallucis brevis, extensor digitorum longus tendons, extensor hallucis longus tendons. [0139] Lower leg muscle training: gastrocnemius muscle. [0140] Recommended for: as an exerciser for training flexor digitorum muscles and tendons; training duration: 15-20 minutes per day.

Example 9

[0141] FIG. 12 shows an article of footwear with a training element in the form of a sole forepart segment having a triangular cross-section and gradually narrowing towards the sole central part, secured on the sole outer surface via tongue and groove connections, thus causing the foot toe portion to be raised in the vertical plane. By using such article of footwear, the following muscles are trained. [0142] Foot muscle training: plantar interosseous muscles, lumbrical muscles, plantar aponeuroses, dorsal interosseous muscles. [0143] Lower leg muscle training: gastrocnemius muscle, soleus muscle. [0144] Recommended for: relaxing and stretching posterior lower leg muscles in those wearing high-heeled footwear; shortened Achilles tendon rehabilitation and lower-leg posterior muscle group training; training duration: 15-20 minutes per day.

Example 10

[0145] FIG. 14 shows an article of footwear with a training element in the form of an insole having a triangular diagonal section and gradually narrowing in the direction from the outer heel seat region towards the inner forepart region, secured on the sole upper surface via a tongue and groove connection, thus causing the outer region of the foot heel portion to be raised and providing a gradual descent in the diagonal direction towards the foot anterior inner toe portion in the vertical plane. By using such article of footwear, the following muscles are trained. [0146] Foot muscle training: plantar interosseous muscles, lumbrical muscles, plantar aponeuroses, dorsal interosseous muscles. [0147] Lower leg muscle training: posterior tibial muscle (in a greater extent), anterior tibial muscle (in a smaller extent), long peroneal muscle, short peroneal muscle, third peroneal muscle, inferior peroneal retinaculum, lateral gastrocnemius head. [0148] Recommended for: improving general physical fitness, as an exerciser for preventing and treating various types of talipes; training duration: 15-20 minutes per day.

Example 11

[0149] FIG. 15 shows an article of footwear with a training element in the form of an insole having a triangular diagonal section and narrowing in the direction from the inner heel seat region towards the outer forepart region of the sole, secured on the sole upper surface via a tongue and groove connection, thus causing the inner region of the foot heel portion to be raised and providing a gradual descent in the diagonal direction towards the foot anterior outer toe portion in the vertical plane. By using such article of footwear, the following muscles are trained. [0150] Foot muscle training: plantar interosseous muscles, lumbrical muscles, plantar aponeuroses, dorsal interosseous muscles. [0151] Lower leg muscle training: posterior tibial muscle (in a smaller extent), anterior tibial muscle (in a greater extent), long peroneal muscle. [0152] Recommended for: improving general physical fitness, transverse platypodia preventing and treating; training duration: 15-20 minutes per day.

Example 12

[0153] FIG. 16 shows an article of footwear with a training element in the form of an insole having a triangular diagonal section and narrowing in the direction from the outer region of the foot toe portion towards the inner region of the foot heel portion, secured on the sole upper surface via a tongue and groove connection, thus causing the outer region of the foot toe portion to be raised and providing a gradual descent in the diagonal direction towards the inner region of the foot heel portion in the vertical plane. By using such article of footwear, the following muscles are trained. [0154] Foot muscle training: plantar interosseous muscles, lumbrical muscles, plantar aponeuroses, dorsal interosseous muscles.

[0155] Lower leg muscle training: gastrocnemius muscle, soleus muscle, posterior tibial muscle (in a greater extent), anterior tibial muscle (in a smaller extent), long peroneal muscle, short peroneal muscle, third peroneal muscle, inferior peroneal retinaculum, lateral gastrocnemius head. [0156] Recommended for: improving general physical fitness, as an exerciser for preventing and treating various types of talipes, lower-leg posterior muscle group training in high heel wearers. Training duration: 15-20 minutes per day.

Example 13

[0157] FIG. 17 shows an article of footwear with a training element in the form of an insole having a triangular cross-section and gradually narrowing, in the diagonal direction, from the inner surface of the sole forepart region to the outer side of the sole heel seat region, thus causing the inner region of the foot toe portion to be raised in the vertical plane. By using such article of footwear, the following muscles are trained. [0158] Foot muscle training: plantar interosseous muscles, lumbrical muscles, plantar aponeuroses, dorsal interosseous muscles. [0159] Lower leg muscle training: gastrocnemius muscle, soleus muscle, posterior tibial muscle (in a smaller extent), anterior tibial muscle (in a greater extent), long peroneal muscle. [0160] Recommended for: improving general physical fitness, transverse platypodia preventing and treating, lower-leg posterior muscle group training in high heel wearers. Training duration: 15-20 minutes per day.

Example 14

[0161] FIG. 20 shows an article of footwear with a training element in the form of an insole having a flat element in the form of a sole segment arranged under the heel portion, arch and metatarsus, creating a height variation under the foot's metatarsophalangeal joints. By using such article of footwear, the following muscles are trained. [0162] Foot muscle training: plantar interosseous muscles, lumbrical muscles, plantar aponeuroses, dorsal interosseous muscles, flexor digiti minimi brevis, flexor digitorum longus tendons, flexor digitorum brevis tendons, flexor hallucis brevis muscle, flexor hallucis longus tendon, flexor digitorum brevis. [0163] Recommended for: as an exerciser for training flexor digitorum muscles and tendons, rehabilitation from tendon injuries, rehabilitation from a lower limb neurological disorder; exercise duration: 15-20 minutes per day.

Example 15

[0164] FIG. 7 shows an article of footwear with a training element in the form of a flat insole having, on its upper surface, under the foot arch or under the waist area, a semi-cylinder arranged perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis and secured on the sole outer surface via a spike connection. By using such article of footwear, the following muscles are trained. [0165] Foot muscle training: plantar interosseous muscles, lumbrical muscles, plantar aponeuroses, dorsal interosseous muscles. [0166] Lower leg muscle training: all lower leg muscles, except for the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles. [0167] Recommended for: as an exerciser for longitudinal platypodia preventing and treating; training duration: 15-20 minutes each alternate day. [0168] Outcomes: in a girl with platypodia, who worn the article of footwear for 15 minutes each alternate day during 1.5 months, the foot arch height increased noticeably, as can be seen in FIG. 33 from the ‘before’ and ‘after’ footprints; the legs no longer got tired when walking; an increase in the overall leg muscle tonicity was observed.

Example 16

[0169] FIGS. 3, 5, 6 show an article of footwear with a training element in the form of a semi-cylinder (or an insole with a semi-cylinder) arranged on the sole upper surface in contact with the foot along the sole longitudinal axis. By using such article of footwear, the following muscles are trained. [0170] Foot muscle training: plantar interosseous muscles, lumbrical muscles, plantar aponeuroses, dorsal interosseous muscles, adductor hallucis muscle. [0171] Lower leg muscle training: all peroneal muscles and the anterior tibial muscle, lateral stabilizers of the ankle joint. [0172] Recommended for: strengthening the foot deltoid and peroneal ligaments, transverse platypodia preventing and treating (in a greater extent), longitudinal platypodia preventing and treating (in a smaller extent); exercise duration: 15-20 minutes each alternate day. [0173] Outcomes: in a girl with platypodia, who worn the article of footwear for 15 minutes each alternate day during 1.5 months, the foot arch height increased noticeably, as can be seen in FIG. 34 from the ‘before’ and ‘after’ footprints, the legs no longer got tired when walking, an increase in the overall leg muscle tonicity was observed.

Example 17

[0174] FIG. 21 shows an article of footwear with a training element in the form of a convex hemisphere arranged in the sole central part, wherein the surface in contact with the foot causes the foot's transverse arch to be flexed along the convex surface. By using such article of footwear, the following muscles are trained. [0175] Lower leg muscle training: gastrocnemius muscle, soleus muscle. [0176] Recommended for: rehabilitation from forefoot or hindfoot injuries, bearing on the midfoot; exercise duration: 15-20 minutes.

Example 18

[0177] FIG. 22 shows an article of footwear with a training element in the form of a convex hemisphere arranged in the sole central part, wherein the surface in contact with the foot causes the foot's longitudinal arch to be flexed along the convex surface. By using such article of footwear, the following muscles are trained. [0178] Foot muscle training: plantar interosseous muscles, lumbrical muscles, plantar aponeuroses, dorsal interosseous muscles, adductor hallucis muscle. [0179] Lower leg muscle training: all peroneal muscles and the anterior tibial muscle, lateral stabilizers of the ankle joint. [0180] Recommended for: improving general physical fitness, relaxation in the evenings. Transverse platypodia preventing and treating; longitudinal platypodia preventing and treating; exercise duration: 15-20 minutes.

Example 19

[0181] FIG. 23 shows an article of footwear with a training element in the form of an ellipsoid or semi-cylinder arranged between the hallux and the second toe. The training elements are exchangeable and are of different sizes. By using such article of footwear, the following muscles are trained. [0182] Foot muscle training: plantar interosseous muscles, lumbrical muscles, plantar aponeuroses, dorsal interosseous muscles, adductor hallucis muscle. [0183] Recommended for: non-operative treatment of Hallux valgus or rehabilitation from a Hallux valgus surgery; exercise duration: 15-20 minutes.

Example 20

[0184] FIG. 4 shows an article of footwear with a training element in the form of a flat insole following the shape of the sole, of different thicknesses for the left foot and for the right foot. By using such article of footwear, the following muscles are trained. [0185] Muscle training: deep muscles of the pelvis, gluteal muscles, knee joint muscles. [0186] Recommended for: improving general physical fitness with the load focused primarily on the thighs; relaxing within a limited time period of 10-15 minutes and obligatory alteration of asymmetry. As a corrective footwear for those with lower limb asymmetry. [0187] Outcome: in a customer, who worn the article of footwear during 1 month as part of rehabilitation from and training after a thigh injury for 10-15 minutes per day with alteration of asymmetry within a single training session, a noticeable reduction of pain and increased tonicity of the leg and gluteal muscles were observed.

Example 21

[0188] FIG. 25 shows an article of footwear wherein the training element is configured in the form of an insole having a smooth sliding surface, for example, made from paper with an adhesive layer for gluing to the sole, and an additional elastic cover, so as to provide for maximum sliding of the cover over a smooth surface. [0189] Muscle training: all lower limb (foot, lower leg, thigh, pelvis) muscles, back muscles. [0190] Recommended for: improving general physical fitness without any wearing time limitation. Due to the unstable position of the foot on the support, the lower limb and back muscles have to be stabilized in order to maintain equilibrium.