Abstract: A high performance dorsiflexion shoe has a sole and a constraining device above the metatarsal-phalangeal joint. The sole has a ground-contacting surface, a forefoot region, a midfoot region and a heel portion. The forefoot region is made of a high density material, and has a thickness, measured in a direction perpendicular to the ground-contacting surface of the sole, greater than the thickness of the heel portion, thereby defining a characteristic angle of declination from the forefoot region to the heel portion. The constraining device substantially constrains a wearer's metatarsal-phalangeal joints from movement when exercising. The forefoot region has a curved form defined so as to further minimize flexion of the metatarsal-phalangeal joint.