 |
How Fit Are Your Feet?
Self Assessment Quiz
In
spite of being on their feet four or more hours each
day, most people don't give their feet a second thought
until they begin to hurt. Yet the wear and tear of every
day life can aggravate many foot and ankle problems,
from bunions and heel pain to arthritis and shin splints.
Foot and ankle health is important to overall health,
well being and mobility, and plays a major role in the
pursuit of fitness. The following "How Fit Are Your
Feet?" Self-Assessment Quiz will give you an idea of
just how healthy your feet and ankles are. If
you have any foot related complaints, click on Foot
Conditions to find the answers to your foot complaints.
| 1.
|
How
much time do you spend on your feet each day?
|
| |
A.
|
less
than 2 hours |
0
|
| B.
|
2
- 4 hours |
1
|
| C.
|
5
- 7 hours |
2
|
| D.
|
8
hours or more |
3
|
| 2.
|
How
old are you? |
| |
A.
|
under
40 |
0
|
| B.
|
between
40 and 59 |
1
|
| C.
|
60
and over |
2
|
| 3.
|
How
would you describe your weight? |
| |
A.
|
less
than 20 pounds overweight or at ideal weight
|
0
|
| B.
|
20
- 39 pounds overweight |
2
|
| C.
|
40
or more pounds overweight |
3
|
| 4.
|
Have
problems with your feet or ankles ever prevented
you from participating in: |
| |
A.
|
Leisure/sports
activities? |
|
| |
yes
|
2
|
| |
no
|
0
|
| B.
|
Work
activities? |
|
| |
yes
|
3
|
| |
no
|
0
|
| 5.
|
Have
you ever-received medical treatment for problems
with your feet and/or ankles? |
| |
A.
|
yes
|
3
|
| B.
|
no
|
0
|
| 6.
|
Do
you regularly wear heels two inches or higher?
|
| |
A.
|
yes
|
2
|
| B.
|
no
|
0
|
| 7.
|
What
types of exercise do you engage in or plan to
engage in? (check all that apply) |
| |
A.
|
walking
|
1
|
| B.
|
field
sports (e.g., softball, golf) |
2
|
| C.
|
winter
sports (e.g., skiing, ice skating) |
2
|
| D.
|
court
sports (e.g., tennis, basketball) |
3
|
| E.
|
aerobics
|
3
|
| F.
|
running
|
3
|
| G.
|
none
(if you chose answer g, skip to question 11)
|
0
|
| 8.
|
Do
you have the appropriate shoes for your sport
or sports? |
| |
A.
|
yes
|
0
|
| B.
|
no
|
3
|
| |
| 9.
|
Do
you experience foot or ankle pain when walking
or exercising? |
| |
A.
|
rarely
|
1
|
| B.
|
sometimes
|
2
|
| C.
|
often
|
3
|
| D.
|
never
|
0
|
| 10.
|
Do
you: |
| |
A.
|
Exercise
in footwear that is more than one year old or
in hand-me-down footwear? |
|
| |
yes
|
3
|
| B.
|
Stretch
properly before and after exercising?
|
|
| |
yes
|
0
|
| |
no
|
3
|
| |
|
|
| 11.
|
Do
you: |
| |
A.
|
Have
diabetes? |
|
| |
yes
|
3
|
| |
no
|
0
|
| B.
|
Experience
numbness and/or burning in your feet?
|
|
| |
yes
|
3
|
| |
no
|
0
|
| C.
|
Have
a family history of diabetes? |
|
| |
yes
|
2
|
| |
no
|
0
|
| |
| 12.
|
Do
you: (check all that apply) |
| |
A.
|
Sprain
your ankles frequently (once a year or more) or
are your ankles weak? |
|
| |
yes
|
2
|
| |
no
|
0
|
| B.
|
Have
flat feet or excessively high arches?
|
|
| |
yes
|
2
|
| |
no
|
0
|
| C.
|
Experience
pain in the Achilles tendon or heel or have shin
splints
(pain in the front lower leg)? |
|
| |
yes
|
2
|
| |
no
|
0
|
| D.
|
Have
corns, calluses, bunions or hammertoes?
|
|
| |
yes
|
3
|
| |
no
|
0
|
| E.
|
Have
arthritis or joint pain in your feet?
|
|
| |
yes
|
3
|
| |
no
|
0
|
| F.
|
Have
poor circulation or cramping in your legs?
|
|
| |
yes
|
3
|
| |
no
|
0
|
Total:_______________________
0
- 20 points: Congratulations! Your feet and
ankles are very healthy and you can maintain your active
lifestyle and/or exercise regimen. With proper attention
and care your feet and ankles should remain healthy;
however, you may want to schedule an annual exam with
a Chiropodist to ensure their long-term health. Furthermore,
if you scored points for questions 4, 5, 9, 11 or 12
you should consider visiting a Chiropodist in the near
future for a check-up
.
21
- 40 points: Pay attention. Your feet and
ankles are showing signs of wear, placing you in the
moderate risk category. Although you can continue your
normal activities, you should strongly consider visiting
a Chiropodist for a check-up. If you participate in
a rigorous exercise regimen on a regular basis or plan
to - or if you scored points for questions 4, 5, 9,
11 or 12 - you should visit a Chiropodist soon to safeguard
your foot and ankle health.
41
points or higher: Caution.
Your feet and ankles are at high risk for long-term
medical problems and you should visit a Chiropodist
as soon as possible. If you exercise, you should pay
particular attention to your feet and ankles until you
see a Chiropodist. If you have not begun exercising,
it is advisable to see a Chiropodist before undertaking
any type of exercise.
Now
that you've assessed the health of your feet and ankles,
you are armed with knowledge that will enable you to
maintain their health over a lifetime.
NOTE:
Even
if you scored well, this self-assessment is not a substitute
for a physical exam. Furthermore, if you are over 40
and have any problems with your:
- heart
- circulation
- respiration
- blood
pressure
- pulse
rate
- cholesterol
Or
if you have a pre-existing medical condition or injury,
you should consult a General Practitioner or a State
Registered Chiropodist before beginning an exercise
program.
|
|
