Get More Out of Your Daily-Recommended "10,000 Steps"


Research Background:

Katy Santiago is a biomechanist who founded the Restorative Exercise Institute™ to create a science-based system of diagnostic and prescriptive exercises focused on optimizing health and wellness. Santiago conceived and conducted a clinical research study within the context of the popular "10,000 Steps" program that encourages people to be physically active through walking, in-line with the U.S. Surgeon General's recommendation to record 30 minutes of daily physical activity. She specifically chose to examine what role footwear (specifically Earth® footwear with Kalsø Negative Heel® Technology™) might play in enhancing these steps.



Thirty-one women ages 25 - 45 were compiled for the study and divided randomly into two footwear user groups: Earth wearers and non-Earth wearers. Both the Earth footwear group and the non-Earth footwear group were instructed to wear a pedometer and walk 10,000 steps (equivalent to about 4 miles) 3 times per week for four weeks. Key indicators including Body Fat Percentage, Body Mass, and a Maximum Paced Fixed Distance Walk were measured before and after the four-week study.


Research Findings:

• The average body fat percentage of the Earth footwear group decreased 4 times more than the decrease experienced by the non-Earth footwear group.
• Earth wearers'greater fat-burning levels can be attributed to the enhanced muscle recruitment of Earth footwear, particularly in the calvesand thighs.
• The Earth footwear group realized a mean body mass reduction of .33kg (.99lb) during the course of the study.
• Among the Earth footwear group, a notably higher rate of body fat percentage decrease relative to body mass reduction is an indication of muscle recruitment and development and higher lean body mass(LBM). Higher lean body mass is widely held to correlate with an increased rate of caloric expenditure (i.e. burning calories).
• Relative to the non-Earth footwear group at 2.68%, Earth wearers increased their fastest walking time for a fixed distance walk by 4.65% (or 24.6 seconds, speaking to enhanced aerobic capabilities and endurance.
• According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the average female has 30% body fat, weighs 163 lbs, and is 63.8" in height inches tall. By wearing Earth footwear as part of a 10,000 Steps program, she could see a body fat percentage decrease from 30% to 28.7% (or, approximately 2.4 pounds of fat). She could also experience the added benefit of increased lean body mass (LBM), increased body efficiency and better breathing; all of which could effectively help to burn more calories with every step.

About this Study: Katy Santiago is a certified biomechanist and is not an employee of Earth, Inc. However, Ms. Santiago is a paid advisor to Earth, Inc., and while Earth, Inc. commissioned Ms. Santiago's study on the effects of its footwear, Ms. Santiago designed and conducted the study independently of Earth, Inc. Based on the results of the study, and in order to promote desired results, Earth, Inc. encourages the use of its footwear as part of an overall healthy regimen that includes proper diet and exercise. Prior to initiating any exercise routine, all individuals should consult a certified physician. Individual results may vary.