Asics helps prove good shoes beat knee disease
Researchers at the University of Melbourne, Australia, have said that a modified shoe can reduce knee load in people with knee osteoarthritis.
The research has been carried out by Professor Kim Bennell and her team at the Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine at the University of Melbourne and supported by an Australian Research Council grant with athletic footwear company ASICS. Results showed that a specially-designed shoe can reduce knee load during walking, compared to traditionally-designed athletic shoes.
This was seen in healthy people, in overweight people who are more at risk of developing osteoarthritis and in people with established painful knee osteoarthritis.
“Reducing knee pressure is important as higher knee loads are associated with a greater likelihood of developing osteoarthritis as well as faster progression of the disease in people who already have osteoarthritis,” said a statement from the university. “Knee osteoarthritis is the most common chronic musculoskeletal health condition. The condition causes pain, physical disability, alterations to the way people move and psychological distress. However, even though there is no cure for the disease, things can improve with the right management.”
