ARE YOU ABUSING YOUR KNEES?
Although walking is certainly easier on
joints than many high impact activities; it is not totally without
problems. Walking tends to over use certain muscles, while not using
others. If you are adding mileage, speed, or hills be sure to do it
slowly. (A general rule of thumb is 10% per week.) Too much too soon
will more than likely result in an overuse injury.
To avoid problematic knees:
- You should maintain a balanced fitness program that includes low-impact crosstraining, strength training and stretching
- Begin (or increase) any fitness activity gradually
- Maintain a healthy body weight
- Wear appropriate shoes for your
activity, your foot type and your walking gait (with correction for
overpronation, if that is a problem)
- Choose a soft walking surface
Overpronation
Overpronation is when your foot
rolls in excessively after landing, and continues to roll when it should
be pushing off. This twists the foot, shin and knee and can cause pain
in all those areas. If you overpronate, your shoes may show excessive
wear on the inner side, and they'll tilt inward if you place them on a
flat surface.
If you overpronate is it
important to wear shoes with motion-control and stability features that
limit pronation. For some people over-the-counter orthotics or arch
supports can help. Those with severe overpronation problems may need to
have custom fitted orthotics.
Overpronation causes extra stress and tightness to the muscles, so do a little extra stretching.
Walking Surfaces
Choosing a good walking surface
is important to avoid injury. The best surfaces are flat, firm, and not
too hard. Avoid concrete if at all possible. This is the hardest walking
surface. Hills and cambered roads can also be a source of high stress
on joints.
If walking on a road with an
obvious camber it is a good idea to walk out and back on the same side. A
beach or track with a slant has the same issues. Change your direction
frequently to avoid too much pressure on one leg.
If you walk on a harder surface
out of necessity, be sure to wear well cushioned shoes. If walking on a
rocky natural terrain choose a good hiking boot.
Runner's World ranked the following surfaces on a scale of 1 (awful) to 10 (best):
- Grass - 9.5
- Wood chips - 9
- Dirt - 8
- Cinder track - 7.5
- Track - 7
- Treadmill - 6.5
- Asphalt - 6
- Sand - 4
- Snow - 2.5
Continued - Exercises for leg strength and flexibility
