Heelys, Inc. said a recent study using Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) data confirms an earlier study and finds that using Heelys wheeled footwear is significantly safer than bicycling, skateboarding, basketball, soccer and even tennis.

The latest study was conducted by Heiden Associates, a product safety consulting firm based in Washington D.C. that was founded in 1981 by Dr. Edward J. Heiden.

Heiden Associates analyzed more than 2.056 million CPSC incident reports through CPSC's National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) on product-related injuries from January 2001 through September 2006.

“We're pleased the new CPSC data confirms Heelys are safe for active kids, in a day and age where childhood obesity is so prevalent,” says Heelys, Inc. CEO Mike Staffaroni. “When Heelys are used in accordance with safety instructions we provide in our packaging and on our Web site (with the proper safety equipment), wheeled sports provide safe opportunities for children to exercise.”

Wearing Heelys wheeled footwear is actually good for those who participate in sports like soccer or gymnastics, according to Dr. Damien Dauphinee, a Dallas-area reconstructive foot and ankle surgeon.

“Using Heelys may actually help prevent a common childhood heel disease associated with soccer and gymnastics called Sever's disease, because the posture used when skating with Heelys helps stretch the calves,” says Dr. Dauphinee. “Heelys' firm mid-sole and flexibility at the forefoot provides important fit attributes required for an active, healthy lifestyle.”

Other doctors agree. “My kids will never have a trampoline, they won't have a motorcycle; but they have and love scooters, skateboards, bikes and Heelys skates and wear them all with the appropriate protective gear,” says Austin-based orthopedic surgeon Dr. Edward Seade. “I'd rather see a kid outside having fun and exercising than sitting in front of a TV.”

Results from the original study by Heiden Associates in 2006 found that wheeled footwear fared significantly better than other sports. Bike riders had the highest injury rate in the wheeled sports category, while wheeled shoes had the best safety record of all wheeled sports, with an injury rate of only two percent of that for bike riding. The study showed that wheeled footwear is safer than nearly all other popular sports with the exception of table tennis, billiards and bowling.