The Wide World of Walking Equipment

A recent study conducted in Brisbane, Australia and published in the Arthritis Research & Therapy Journal, demonstrates that a 30 minute walk at least three times a week along with a daily regimen of glucosamine sulfate supplements reduces the pain of osteoarthritis in the hip and knee.

Walking is often recommended as a way of reducing pain and improving mobility of persons suffering from mild osteoarthritis and glucosamine sulfate has also been recommended to lessen the pain and slow the disease process.  The goal of this study was to see what the effect would be of combining them together in a single therapy.  In addition, two levels of walking frequency were measured, 3 vs. 5 times a week along with three step levels; 1500, 3000 and 6000 steps per outing.

Methodology

The study was conducted on 28 middle aged to elderly arthritis suffers.  Each was given 1500 mg of glucosamine sulfateper day.  After 6 weeks of receiving the supplemental regiment, they began a 12 week walking program, continuing to take the glucosamine.

A little over half the participants walked 5 days a week, while the rest walked 3.  They used pedometers to measure their step counts.  The step levels were gradually increased; the first six weeks began at 1500 and increased to 3000 steps per trip.  The second six week the target went from 3,000 to 6,000 steps.

Results

The study found that glucosamine sulfate by itself did help improve the objective measures of physical activity and function.  In addition, improvement was seen in suffers ability to manage their arthritis pain.  Walking 5 days did not seem to appreciably improve the situation.  Among the three times a week group, the 3,000 step level increase the physical activity scores by 125% and pain reduction by 17%.  Moving to 6,000 steps resulted in an additional 57% increase in physical activity and function. Most of the improvements came between weeks 6 and 12.

Although a small pilot study, the finding did show that arthritis suffers can get significant relief by combining a glucosamine regiment with a walking program, with the maximum improvement achieved by talking 1500 mg of glucosamine sulfate and walking 6,000 steps 3 times a week.

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In honor of Earth Day 2010 it seemed appropriate to report on a news story I recently came across, a story that gives new “energy” to the words walking equipment. Oddly enough this story likely had its origins in Disco. It seems that a Dutch company with the unlikely name of The Sustainable Dance Club Company developed a floor panel used to illuminate dance floors by creating energy from dancing. These panels were embedded with micro sensors, tiny “generator” and LED lights. Something called the “Piezo Effect” is responsible for the power generation. Not going to get in that in any detail (more here if your interested) but essentially how it works is, each time a panel is stepped or stomped on, it’s compressed about half an inch and tiny generator converts that compression activity into electricity. The energy created is then used to power the LED lights.

From this basic product they developed a sidewalk pavement panel with the same micro sensor and “generator” configuration. Through the same Piezo Effect, people walking on the panels generate enough electricity to power street lights. The city of Toulouse in southwest France has installed eight of the panels and found that they can in fact generate 50-60 watts of energy which would be enough to power any nearby street lamps.

In addition to dance floors, there are number of other installations that employ the basic technology: a subway station in Tokyo and a supermarket in England. Sustainable Dance Club Company said that there has been some interest expressed by local sports venues in initiating a trial program.

While big questions remain about the practicality of wide spread use of this technology both from a cost and durability perspective, it is an interesting development with wide spread implications. Perhaps a power generated walking sneaker is somewhere in our future?

Technorati Tags: peizo effect, walking, Walking Equipment

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Well it finally happened, my wife said it was either her or my favorite pair of walking sneakers.  Either I did something about the odor, or my shoes and I would be banished to the basement for good.  Although I do have a finished basement and would likely have  been  very comfortable, the choice was an easy one. ..Fix the Sneakers.

The Source

What causes the problem anyway?   Your shoes didn’t start out with that odor did they?  The prime source of the dilemma is, of course, your feet.  Did you know that they have a name for extreme cases of foot odor?  It’s called bromhidrosis.   The primary cause of foot odor is perspiration.  This provides a breeding ground for bacteria and yeast. When the cellular debris from the bacteria and yeast begin to break down, they produce the notorious foot odor.   In addition there are some skin conditions that can also contribute to the problem.   These conditions are not necessarily harmful but do create a rich environment for the growth of microorganisms. Infections such as athlete’s foot or toenail fungus could result, so it’s best to keep the whole situation under control.

Prevention

The follow are some ways to keep your feet dry and odor free, preventing your sneakers from picking it up in the first place.  The best advice is to keep your feet as clean and dry as possible.

• Shower regularly with anti-bacterial soap.
• Use foot powders and sprays specifically designed to keep feet dry.
• Change your shoes and socks often.
• Wear sandals during warm weather.

Cure

What if it’s too late, the walking sneakers are already cursed.  What to do then?  Obviously pitching them is an option (the one favored by my wife).  But short of that, what’s to do?  There are a ton of commercial and homemade remedies.  Here are a few.  (I’ll have to admit that I haven’t tried most of these so I can’t vouch for their effectiveness)

• Wash sneakers thoroughly–inside and out–with soapy detergent and bleach.  Sprinkle bicarbonate or baking soda the insides of the shoes.  Leave overnight.  (This one worked for me)
• Wipe the insides of the sneakers with rubbing alcohol.
• Stuff the shoes with newspaper and leave overnight.
• Spray vinegar inside the sneakers.
• Stick them in the freezer overnight.  (This did not work for me).
• Seal them in a plastic bag with coffee (unused).
• Put kitty litter in an old sock and stuff it in the shoe between usages.
• Insert orange peels in the shoes.
• Baby Power is another suggestion.
• There are a host of products specifically designed to eliminate shoe odors but I’ve not tried any of them. Note: If anyone has, I’m sure we would all be interested in knowing which ones were effective and which ones weren’t.

Maintenance

Once you’ve managed to eliminate the problem there are a couple of things, in addition to foot care, that you can do.

• Rotate you walking sneakers, allowing them to completely dry out between uses.
• Give you shoes a shot of disinfectant after each use.
• Use redwood shoe trees.

Walking sneaker odor can quickly make you an outcast in your own home so it’ll be better for you and those around you if you take a little bit of time and effort to banish this source of potential friction from your environment.

It would be great to get some feedback if anyone has successfully tried any of these or other odor eradicating exercises.

Technorati Tags: foot odor, shoe odor, Walking Equipment, Walking Gear, walking sneakers

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The evidence just keeps on coming.  An organized walking program can and will improve your health.  It’s a fact.  A recent study appearing in the American Heart Association’s journal Stroke is the latest.  We all know that exercise is good for you but this study specifically zeros in on the walking benefits as a critical exercise routine, even when compared to other forms such as running, swimming and biking.

The study was conducted with 39,000 female health workers 45 or older who participate in a comprehensive life style study called Women’s Health Study.  A 12-year-old research program that, among other things, monitors the participants’ physical activity, comparing it with various health related problems.

Results

The study looked at three factors: Generally how women classified their normal everyday walking speed (slow, moderate or brisk).  Identifying those who participated in an organized walking exercise program.  Finally, ascertaining those that participated in an exercise programs other than walking. The study found that women who said they walked briskly as part of their daily activities had a 37 % lower risk of a stroke than those who said they didn’t.  Women who reported walking a minimum of two hours a week at any pace had a 30 % lower risk of stroke.  The researchers found that a reduced risk of stroke was not evident with those women who engaged in other forms of physical exercise.   This seems a bit counter intuitive and may have been the result of too small of a sample size.  They adjusted their figures to take into account other things that might skew the results, such as age, smoking, family history, etc.

Implications

While the study didn’t establish the reasons behind the risk decline, lowering blood pressure for example, it does present some pretty clear implications. The study would seem to suggest that women, in particular, receive significant health benefits from engaging in even a modest walking program of two hours a week.  The other inference is that we need to “pick up the pace” in our everyday lives.  Simply put, whenever possible, walk at a brisk pace.  Don’t plod from A to B.  Get there quickly, with a bit of snap.  It’s not only good for your health but it projects an image of strength and energy as well.  So start now to maximize your walking benefits.

Technorati Tags: stroke, walking, Walking Benefits, Walking Equipment

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