|
| Andhra Pradesh ~ India ~ International ~ City ~ Entertainment ~ Business ~ Bullion ~ Forex ~ Sports ~ Technology ~ Health ~ Features |
| Lung Cancer ~ Lung Cancer ~ Breast Cancer ~ Heart attack ~ All Health Topics |
|
Home
/ Health News / 2007 / October 2007 / October 11, 2007 Expensive running shoes are not worth the money |
Structure of key breast cancer target enzyme unraveled
A researcher at Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute has moved a step closer to a cure, and possibly the prevention, of the most common type of breast cancer. ANI
Smoking claimed 673,000 Chinese lives in 2005
A multinational research team, led by scientists at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, has lent more force to the suggestion that smoking is a significant risk factor for mortality and disease. ANI
Genetic mutations can predict childhood leukaemia relapse
A collaborative study by American researchers has revealed that changes in a gene called IKAROS can help predict a high likelihood of relapse in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). ANI
A new study has found that expensive trainers are not worth the money, and that cheap and moderately priced running shoes are just as good in terms of cushioning impact and overall comfort.
Washington, Oct 11 : A new study has found that expensive trainers are not worth the money, and that cheap and moderately priced running shoes are just as good in terms of cushioning impact and overall comfort.
The research findings are based on a comparison of nine pairs of trainers, bought from three different manufacturers, in three different price ranges. The cheapest pairs were priced at 40 to 45 pounds, with the moderate range costing 60 to 65 pounds. The three most expensive pairs cost 70 to 75pounds.
The 43 participants were not told how much any of the shoes cost.
Plantar pressure - the force produced by the impact of the sole hitting the ground - was recorded in eight different areas of the sole, using a special device (Pedar) attached to the shoes.
Different models performed differently for different areas of the foot. But, overall, there were no major differences among the shoes, irrespective of brand or price.
In fact, plantar pressure was lower in the cheap to moderately priced shoes, although this difference was not statistically significant.
Runners were also asked to rate the comfort of the shoes from "least" to "most comfortable imaginable," using a validated graded scale.
Comfort ratings varied considerably, but there were no obvious differences among the shoes. And price was no indicator of comfort score.
Running produces sizeable shock waves to the bones of the foot, which radiate to other bones in the body. The force of the impact increases with speed and distance, say the authors.
Consequently, runners are prone to knee pain, stress fractures, muscle tears and osteoarthritis.
The type of cushioning in the soles of running shoes aims to prevent this damage, with expensive trainers deemed to be the most effective.
The study will be published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
ANI
