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fit feet prove key to training regimes

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Toowoomba podiatrist Anne-Maree Hanrick is encouraging wannabe fitness fanatics to stop and consider their feet before they hit the gym.

Ms Hanrick says 75 percent of her client base presented with injuries caused by an increase of sudden activity.

“As podiatrists we are excited to see so many individuals who care about their health and body image, however, we are concerned that many novice athletes are exposing themselves to higher risk of injury,” Ms Hanrick said.

“A sudden, dramatic increase in physical activity places the body under extreme stress that can lead to sin splints, stress fractures, knee problems and soft tissue injury to name a few.”

And with only one month of winter left, Ms Hanrick said many people concerned about their “insulation kilos” were opting for intensive gym sessions or activities like boot camps.

“A popular activity among many is to participate in the boot camp phenomenon, made popular in the early 1990s,” she said.

“Participants undertake a grueling eight-week course that pushes their bodies to the limits. Obviously, we don’t want to defer people from participating in the boot camps on offer, however we do recommend that you are assessed by a podiatrist to ensure your footwear and lower limb mechanics are capable of enduing this increase in physical activity.”

Ms Hanrick said people risked significant injury if they ignored niggling complaints.

“The body is a chain, if something is not functioning at a foot level it can lead to other complaints. If you suspect your shoes are wearing in an unusual way, you are experiencing excessive wear and tear on the feet, you are experiencing any pain or tenderness or are just concerned about the way you walk or run, you should see us.”

The Chronicle – Anthea Gleeson