High heels—whether it’s an ultra-slim stiletto, a chunky block heel or a versatile wedge—have been making a fashion statement since the 16th century. King Louis XIV of France popularized wearing heels for men and women a couple of centuries later.

If you don’t wear heels regularly, you may wonder how people who do are able to walk (or run) so easily while their feet are in an overly arched position (imagine pointing your toes like a ballet dancer). The “Barbie” movie pokes some fun at the idea of a permanently arched foot when Barbie slips out of her shoes and her foot position doesn’t change. However, the joke may be on those of us who prefer to wear flats, sneakers, slippers or no shoes at all.

A recent study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology found that people who wear high heels on a regular basis have better walking economy, even when they’re not wearing heels, than people who choose flatter-soled footwear. Walking economy means the amount of oxygen that’s consumed per walking distance, or in other words, the amount of energy you need to walk.

The study looked at male and female volunteers who wore high-heeled shoes daily for 14 weeks. The volunteers kept track of how many steps they took each day both with and without heels on. The heeled shoes were approximately 2-and-a-half to almost 3 inches high.

Wearing heels for long periods of time, which causes the toes to point and the foot to arch more, can lead to long-lasting structural changes in the muscles. In this case, it shortened the tendons in the volunteer’s calf muscles. A shortening of the tendons can change how much energy your muscles use when they work, such as when you walk. The researchers found those who wore heels for more than 1,500 steps per day walked with less effort even when they weren’t wearing heels—and even weeks after the study ended.

So go ahead and reach for your confidence-boosting heels, knowing they just may help you walk better.