The BBC article Doctors explain Michael Jackson's impossible dance move describes the recently published article in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine How did Michael Jackson challenge our understanding of spine biomechanics?.
The BBC mentions that:
It's said that he and two Hollywood colleagues borrowed the footwear idea from US astronauts' boots, which can be docked to a fixed rail when working in zero gravity.
US Patent granted: US5255452A Method and means for creating anti-gravity illusion
Question: What astronaut boots might these be, and to what do they attach specifically?
More about the equipment here.