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How Fit Are Your Feet?
Take the 75,000 Mile Test and Find Out!
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According to the American Podiatric Medical
Association, most Americans log 75,000 miles on their feet by the time
they reach the age of 50. Serious Striders -- those whose professions
or lifestyles involve using their feet more than the norm -- reach the
milestone much sooner.
The rigorous sports and fitness activities that many contemporary
Americans now engage in -- while beneficial to overall health and well-being
-- accelerate wear-and-tear in the feet and ankles. During running activities
particularly, pressure on each foot can be three to four times normal
body weight. Even walking can take its toll: a 150-pound person walking
one mile exerts the equivalent of 63-1/2 tons -- 127,000 pounds -- on
each foot!
Fortunately, the foot and ankle are well designed to handle this stress
and to support us for a lifetime. But certain conditions -- if undetected
and untreated -- can seriously sideline even the most fit individual.
With proper detection, intervention and care, most foot and ankle problems
can be lessened or prevented.
What potential effect does 75,000 miles or its equivalent have on
your feet? To find out, take the following test.
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1. |
ESTABLISH YOUR BASELINE |
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Use the following formula to calculate the approximate number of miles
your feet have logged:
4.3 miles/day* x 365 days x your age = _____________ miles
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* This is an average. To
calculate your specific mileage, wear a pedometer for a week, add up the
number of miles you walked each day, and divide by seven. Then, insert
that sum into the formula to calculate your baseline mileage. |
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2. |
WHICH CATEGORY BEST DESCRIBES YOUR CURRENT
PROFESSION OR OCCUPATION? (Pick 1) |
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Easy Steppers |
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Examples: |
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- Clerical/administrative positions
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- Data processing, computer programming positions
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- Accountants, attorneys
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- Executives |
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Moderate Movers
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Examples: |
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- Doctors, flight attendants, chefs
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- Teachers, military personnel
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- Bank tellers, store clerks
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- Homemakers, farmers
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Serious Striders
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Examples: |
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- Professional athletes/dancers
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- Mail carriers, police officers, teachers
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- Factory workers, waiters/waitresses, nurses
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- Store clerks, retail salespeople
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- Aerobics instructors
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3. |
HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN ENGAGED IN THIS
OCCUPATION? |
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4. |
WHICH CATEGORY BEST DESCRIBES YOUR RECREATION/LIFESTYLE?
(Pick 1) |
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Easy Steppers |
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Examples: |
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- Walking |
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- Gardening |
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- Bowling |
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- Shopping |
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- Golfing |
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Moderate Movers
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Examples: |
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- Tennis |
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- Racquetball |
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- Biking |
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- Power Walking
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Serious Striders
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Examples: |
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- Jogging |
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- Running |
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- Basketball |
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- Soccer |
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- Aerobics |
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5. |
HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU ENGAGED IN THE ACTIVITY
SELECTED IN NUMBER 4? |
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6. |
HOW WOULD YOU CLASSIFY YOUR WEIGHT? |
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7. |
DO YOU REGULARLY WEAR HEELS TWO INCHES OR
HIGHER? |
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8. |
DO YOU HAVE, OR HAVE YOU RECENTLY HAD, ANY
OF THE FOLLOWING: |
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a. |
Arthritis, Joint Pain, Tendonitis, or Heel Pain
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b. |
Flat Feet or High Arches
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c. |
Corns, Calluses, Bunions, or Hammertoes
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d. |
Nails that are discolored, painful, or appear to be thick, brittle or flaky
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e. |
Poor Circulation, Cramping in Legs, or Nerve Pain
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f. |
Diabetes
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g. |
Gout or Psoriasis
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The "Calculate Total" button will take you to
a new page displaying your score total and an explanation of your score. |
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