Aussie researchers look to toes, parks to reduce falls

As a retired Victorian Maternal & Child Health Nurse, I read the article on the importance of our toes in contributing to our sense of balance with interest.
I am now 81 years of age, and in recent years have been fortunate enough to find an American make of shoe called Roamer made by SAS handcrafted comfort shoes, on sale at Gilmours Shoe shop in Glenhuntly Road, Glenhuntly. Victoria.
Finally I had a pair of shoes, which allowed me to grab the ground with my toes, and this reminded me of what I had been taught and witnessed, in my professional nursing role from 1968 until 2010 in MCH.
The human race gets on its feet, by the baby realising as it pulls itself to stand, and experiences sideway upright movements along the couch, that as maturation takes place and firstly with some support, the baby sets off on forward upright body movement, which includes grabbing the earth or floor with its toes, and other multiple muscular responses occurring, as the now toddler propels itself forward across the room.
In Victoria, many MCH Centres have Preschool Centres as neighbours, and I can remember the kindergarten teacher commenting on the importance of the type of shoes children needed when climbing on the play equipment.
From 1968 to 1975 I practised as a MCH nurse on a then Housing Commission Estate of 3,500 people, on the edge of a park where the local primary school children were brought down the hill for extra recreation space from their overcrowded inner Melbourne school.
In Winter time when the grass was still wet with the melting frost, I got used to see them falling over in their plastic shoes as the ran onto the grass in the park.
Good wishes for your research, which will benefit the ageing population.
Kathleen M Kehoe FACN[retired]