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13th Apr 2015

If you love high heels, this news will break your heart

No, no, NO.

Cathy Donohue

There’s nothing quite like spotting your pair of dream shoes, getting them in your size and wearing them until they’re practically falling apart.

High heels make us happy but the results of a new study are a little worrying and we might have to rethink our footwear choices.

Forty female students from South Korea’s Hanseo University participated in this study which took place over four years.

The women were studying air tourism and service and were obliged to wear heels to class which allowed the researchers to study the effects of wearing high heels over time.

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Interestingly, the study found that although wearing heels initially strengthened ankle muscles, over time it weakened them.

Women who wore heels measuring more than 10cm (3.9 inches) more than three times a week developed an imbalance in their ankle muscles.

However, all is not lost as there are some tips you can take to protect against injuries, make sure to walk around regularly in your heels and stand up and down on your tip toes to strengthen your calves.

Oh and if you can bring yourself to do it, try flats every once in a while.

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Images via Christian Louboutin Instagram