Half of the people who start to run or take on a new sport tend to get injured. Most of them also wear uncomfortable footwear just because they look stylish, according to a new study.
People may be doing more harm than good due to wearing inappropriate footwear when running or taking up a new sport. A study conducted by the College of Podiatry concluded that exercising leaves people nursing their injuries for nearly 26 days in a year.
Typically, wearing improper footwear can lead to injuries such as calf problems, shin splits, hamstring strains and lower back pain. Injuries can also extend to muscle and soft tissue strains along with nerve damage.
Women who visited the doctor due to foot and toe complaints increased by 75 percent in just four years, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Many experts have warned that bad footwear choices can cause injury and pain not only in the legs but also all the way to the spine, according to CNN.
The study found that the average man from Britain had two pairs of trainers without putting a lot of effort to ensuring proper fit. Only 19 percent had a proper fitting before purchase while 33 percent of people bought their shoes online, without fitting them.
As a result, leg or foot pain forced 13 percent of people to give up running or a new sport because the pain got worse. Among those injured, one in ten had to be treated by a doctor, about four percent had treatment in a hospital, and another four percent had treatment from a private physiotherapy.
In addition, injuries interfered with people's intention to get fit, according to Daily Mail. One in ten claimed that the strains and pains forced them to take a break from running or exercising for more than two months.
Despite the pain, some people continue to proceed with exercising risking knee problems, muscle stains and nerve damage, according to experts. Two-thirds of the respondents admitted that they do not bother replacing their shoes until they break.
Nearly half, however, admit that they continue to use uncomfortable footwear despite feeling pain. Eight percent of the respondents did not bother finding a cure despite experiencing pain whenever they exercise.
Surprisingly, one in seven people even refused to change their uncomfortable footwear because they looked stylish. Seven percent, on the other hand, continued to wear their uncomfortable footwear since they were from a trendy brand.
