Posted on 01/04/2010 10:00:35 AM PST by decimon
Greater stresses on joints than running barefoot or walking in high-heeled shoes observed
New York, NY, January 4, 2010 – Knee osteoarthritis (OA) accounts for more disability in the elderly than any other disease. Running, although it has proven cardiovascular and other health benefits, can increase stresses on the joints of the leg. In a study published in the December 2009 issue of PM&R: The journal of injury, function and rehabilitation, researchers compared the effects on knee, hip and ankle joint motions of running barefoot versus running in modern running shoes. They concluded that running shoes exerted more stress on these joints compared to running barefoot or walking in high-heeled shoes.
Sixty-eight healthy young adult runners (37 women), who run in typical, currently available running shoes, were selected from the general population. None had any history of musculoskeletal injury and each ran at least 15 miles per week. A running shoe, selected for its neutral classification and design characteristics typical of most running footwear, was provided to all runners. Using a treadmill and a motion analysis system, each subject was observed running barefoot and with shoes. Data were collected at each runner's comfortable running pace after a warm-up period.
The researchers observed increased joint torques at the hip, knee and ankle with running shoes compared with running barefoot. Disproportionately large increases were observed in the hip internal rotation torque and in the knee flexion and knee varus torques. An average 54% increase in the hip internal rotation torque, a 36% increase in knee flexion torque, and a 38% increase in knee varus torque were measured when running in running shoes compared with barefoot.
These findings confirm that while the typical construction of modern-day running shoes provides good support and protection of the foot itself, one negative effect is the increased stress on each of the 3 lower extremity joints. These increases are likely caused in large part by an elevated heel and increased material under the medial arch, both characteristic of today's running shoes.
Writing in the article, lead author D. Casey Kerrigan, MD, JKM Technologies LLC, Charlottesville, VA, and co-investigators state, "Remarkably, the effect of running shoes on knee joint torques during running (36%-38% increase) that the authors observed here is even greater than the effect that was reported earlier of high-heeled shoes during walking (20%-26% increase). Considering that lower extremity joint loading is of a significantly greater magnitude during running than is experienced during walking, the current findings indeed represent substantial biomechanical changes." Dr. Kerrigan concludes, "Reducing joint torques with footwear completely to that of barefoot running, while providing meaningful footwear functions, especially compliance, should be the goal of new footwear designs."
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The article is "The Effect of Running Shoes on Lower Extremity Joint Torques" by D. Casey Kerrigan, MD, Jason R. Franz, MS, Geoffrey S. Keenan, MD, Jay Dicharry, MPT, Ugo Della Croce, PhD, and Robert P. Wilder, MD. It appears in PM&R: The journal of injury, function and rehabilitation, Volume 1, Issue 12 (December 2009), published by Elsevier. The article has been made freely available and may be accessed at: http://www.pmrjournal.org/article/S1934-1482(09)01367-7/fulltext
Ping for you.
Anything to get grant money eh?
And here I thought my knee and ankle joints and my lower back were shot because of the 20 years I spent running around in combat boots! ;)
Use the bike or the elliptical. Works wonders for me!
Guess I should add: I didn’t have to spend a gazillion dollars to learn that my knees and lower back hurt worse from running on pavement than using alternative cardio excercises.
Spelling police...I caught myself.
Stationary bike is the best single exercise there is, and it doesn't tear anything up.
Running hurts. I don’t know why they still promote it...honestly, I think it does more harm than good.
There are running shoes available that do their best to mimic running in bare feet. I remember when I was on the high school wrestling team, I used to run outdoor laps in wrestling shoes, which had no padding whatsoever, just a sheet of rubber for the bottom with canvas on top. I ran well with those things, never had problems. You have to adjust your gait however, it will come (back) naturally.
We just got one. Does it work well to really beef up the heart? I want to lose weight, but that is something I really want as well.
A running shoe, selected for its neutral classification and design characteristics typical of most running footwear, was provided to all runners.
While I understand their intent, this is probably a significant source of error for their study. Not all shoes are equal for all feet -- I know for a fact that proper shoe selection is vital for running comfort in feet, knees, and hips. I would bet money that "comfort" is directly analogous to the torque measurements made here.
"Reducing joint torques with footwear completely to that of barefoot running, while providing meaningful footwear functions, especially compliance, should be the goal of new footwear designs."
Not sure what advantage these new designs would provide for somebody like me, who does a lot of trail running on rocky terrain.
When I got married four years ago I was in the best shape of my life. I never ran. All my cardio was done on an elliptical machine and I lifted weights. I did play basketball for two hours once a week, though. That includes running, but since I was in shape, it didn’t hurt.
Now that I’m working out again, the elliptical and bike machines work just fine. I get a good workout and my lower back doesn’t ache when I’m done.
RPMs is a lot more important than resistance. Too much resistance will tear up your knees. Spin at 100 RPMs at any resistance and I guarantee your heart-rate will be above 150 within five minutes.
I have found that if I hold the handlebars with my arms out in front my back hurts over time. I found, for myself, that I am better off holding my arms close to my body. No strain on the back that way.
Only if you use it on a regular basis.
I’ve also worn New Balance running shoes for walking. Very comfortable.
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