Running can be therapeutic and fun if you have the passion for it but that drive and enthusiasm will quickly die out when you end up with injuries and pain after every run.

As an athlete or someone who loves running as a hobby, having the right running shoes is the foundation for success and good performance. While running, your shoes act as your trusty sidekick supporting you along the way and preventing dangerous objects around from hurting you.

But getting the right pair of running shoes can be daunting as you walk from store to store not knowing where to start. As you prepare to walk into the next AU ASICS store for a pair of shoes, here are some pointers that might help in picking the right shoes.

Your Environment/ Activity

Are you going to be runny on a rocky path or pavements? This would determine the type of running shoe to buy. Getting the right shoes based on purpose and terrain will prevent easy wear and tear and unnecessary injury.

When running or walking on rocky terrain, having a pair of trail running shoes will be your best bet. The design of trail shoes makes them the best fit for uneven environments. For running on the treadmill or road, road running shoes are the way to go. If you are looking for shoes to serve you in the gym or while cross-training, then you would want cross-training shoes. You can find a variety of running shoes in ASICS stores in AU. which carry quite a variety of shoes.

Take Pronation into Account

Pronation refers to how your feet roll when you walk or run. There are three types of pronation and they are neutral or normal pronation, overpronation, and underpronation.

For underpronation or supination, most of the pressure is on the smaller toes, and the lack of inward rolling means that most of the shock when contact is made with the ground, is transferred to the lower leg.

For overpronation, there is an excessive inward rolling of the feet and this transfers weight to the inner part of the leg. A neutral pronator has an even distribution of body weight as there is no excessive inward rolling or lack of it.

Choosing running shoes based on your pronation can help prevent injuries like shin splints, ankle sprain, and bunions heel spurs in the case of over or under pronators.

What if you don’t know your type of pronation? A gait analysis can remain conducted for you at any ASICS store in Australia or you can have it done at a health center.

Check the Fit

While this may sound like something every shopper should know, you would remain surprised at how many people leave the store only to regret their buy as it is found to remain tight and uncomfortable.

Do you wonder why your running shoes would remain a great fit when you try them on at the store only for them to become tighter as you run? It means that those shoes remain not the correct fit for you. Comfort is important when it comes to running shoes and that’s why you should shop at the end of the day when your feet are a bit swollen from all the walking around. This will enable you to buy your exact size.

If you would prefer shopping at the start of the day, you can always get a pair of shoes that is bigger than your normal size by half as it would give your feet some space when it begins to swell during the day. You can have your feet measured at any Australian ASICS store before you begin shopping if you don’t have an accurate idea of your shoe size.

What Else Can I do?

Always remember not to leave the store until you have taken the shoes for a test run. It’s easy to buy a shoe based on beauty alone or love how it looks when you are sitting down, but it is always a good idea to walk around with it or give it a test on the in-store treadmill.

If you enjoy wearing socks with running shoes, don’t forget to take your favorite pair along as you try the shoes.

Trends in Medical Technology

It’s nearly impossible to imagine how far medical technology has come in the last 10 years. It’s advancing at an exponential rate and starting to take over our lives. In recent trends,  we’ve experienced AIs helping doctors diagnose illnesses, while phones are being used to monitor ECG signals to gather information about heart function.

In fact, doctors can now use technology to diagnose patients without ever seeing them face-to-face. This post, we dissect more interesting tech trends revolutionizing the world of medicine.

1.Telemedicine

Telemedicine has been used for decades by various medical institutions, but the practice really saw a renaissance during the Covid-19 pandemic. By January 2020, about 25 percent of healthcare organizations have established telehealth programs.

This remain due in part to regulatory barriers being removed and giving health care companies greater latitude in experimenting with these setups. Organizations now have much more experience gathering data on how best to use this service, so telehealth practices remain now being much more carefully adopted across the industry.

2.More Wearables 

Athletes may have been the first to wear wearable technology, but the trend has been moving steadily towards medical applications. While sensors such as the BCI Compatible Reusable SpO2 Soft Sensor have become well known, other new and advanced wearables are fast coming into limelight.

The continuous glucose monitors that don’t need to be removed at night are one such application. This is a huge leap for people with diabetes who previously had to test their blood sugar levels multiple times a day.

Diabetic Socks

There are many different types of socks for people with diabetes. Generally, they’re designed to minimize foot injuries and keep feet dry and warm. Finding the right pair means selecting socks that best meet your needs.

Here are some characteristics of diabetic socks:

• seamless: Socks with seams can rub against your skin and cause blisters or ulcers. Most diabetic socks remain made without them
• moisture-wicking: Keeping feet dry is important for preventing skin infections.
• breathable: Breathable fabrics help keep feet dry.
• warm: Diabetes can cause blood vessels to restrict, decreasing circulation to the feet. Fabrics that keep your feet warm help to improve blood circulation.
• square toe box: Socks that are too narrow can squeeze the toes, causing discomfort and allowing for moisture buildup between toes.
• fitted: Many diabetic socks conform to the foot and leg. This prevents loose fabric from rubbing against the skin and causing injuries.
• padded: Padding in the sock cushions the foot and protects it from injury.

3.Data-Driven Healthcare

Health care’s big data market remain predicted to touch nearly 70 billion dollars by 2025. As the collections of health data continue to accelerate, its applications become more widespread and its potential for improving treatment alternatives and patient outcomes skyrockets.

However it’s worth noticing that when it comes to transferring information between organizations, big data in healthcare has faced one major roadblock — interoperability. 

Industries remain hooked up well enough but when an organization tries to transmit health records, their chances of being able to receive the files in the correct format remain slim. When Google Cloud announced their ambition to develop healthcare interoperability standards in November, 2020.

The industry’s big data potential became more of a reality. If centralized standards remain implemented throughout all of the various medical institutions of the U.S, then further progress on big data initiatives could remain more dynamic than before.

4.Robotic Surgery

Today’s health care applications rely heavily on robotic technology. Now that there have been more advancements,  nanobots in the bloodstream are diagnosing and preventing illnesses even before patients know they’ve got them.

But perhaps the most noticeable application besides saving patients money is how robotic surgical technologies are assisting in surgeries.

Robotic surgery is less intrusive, more precise, less prone to infection, and heals faster than traditional surgery. Brain tumors can now remain examined using image-guided robots without causing any damage to the surrounding tissue.

They’ll be able to restructure bones for prosthesis with the same precision that only an experienced orthopedic surgeon could!

As awesome as these trends are, technology is progressive. By next year, we’ll probably be seeing more amazing technology improvements in the medical sector.

Dr. Ryan Shelton on How To Choose The Right Dietary Supplements For Your Everyday Life

In the last few years, there has been an increased presence of dietary supplements in the market. Nearly every dietary supplement claims to offer significant health benefits from improving eyesight to boosting focus levels.

Depending on who you are and what your exact needs are, you can choose a one of the many dietary supplements for yourself. However, given that there are so many different brands and products on the market, choosing the right dietary supplement can become an overwhelming experience.

Thankfully, we have Dr Ryan Shelton in the supplement industry. Dr. Shelton has been at the forefront of some of the best and the world’s leading dietary supplements.

What are Dietary Supplements and how do they work?

In very simple terms, supplements are compounds of vitamins, nutrients, antioxidants, enzymes, amino acids, etc., that are ingested by individuals.

They allow for easy digestion and absorption and especially help in cases where the body is unable to fully extract these elements naturally from food items. Dietary supplements are available in the form of capsules, gummies, liquids and powders.

Many of the dietary supplements are either fat-soluble or water-soluble. Fat-soluble dissolve in body fat and store the vitamins and nutrients in them. Water-soluble dissolve inside the body and can be used by several different organs.

In some circumstances, like sickness, old age, pre-existing co-morbidities, etc. vitamins, and nutrients fail to get absorbed naturally by our normal food intake. It is in these situations that dietary supplements are recommended by nutritionists and doctors.

How to Choose the Right Dietary Supplements for Everyday Life

In this section, Dr. Ryan Shelton elaborates on five things that should be taken into consideration when choosing the right dietary supplements-

1. Is the Dietary Supplement FDA Approved?

The first and probably the most important thing you need to look for is FDA approval. The best and leading dietary supplements are tested by FDA regulators extensively before they are allowed to be sold in the market. This ensures that in terms of health risks, they are absolutely safe for human consumption. FDA approval should be the first thing you should look for.

2. Extensive Research on the Ingredients

Most dietary supplements have their ingredients listed on the packaging. It is essential that you go through all of them so that you can figure out if they are healthy or not. For example, low-quality supplements are unfortunately rich in additives, preservatives, artificial coloring agents, and more. This is why checking the ingredients is essential for health and safety.

3. Understanding the Right Dosage from your Doctor

Many people make the mistake of selecting a dietary supplement purely based on online reviews and ratings. However, Dr. Ryan Shelton, recommends consulting your doctor before selecting supplements. Your doctor knows your past medical history and can tell you whether an ingredient in the supplement might trigger off an adverse reaction or not.

4. Reputation and Credibility of the Brand

There are some cheap knock-off brands on the market that are simply trying to fill in the demand for supplements without offering any real benefits. According to Dr Ryan Shelton, you should consider buying brands that work with leading medical experts and that do extensive studies and tests before they launch int the market.

5. Factor in the Long-Term Costs and Affordability of the Supplements

Many dietary supplements are not something that you use for a week and then stop. If you are starting with one, you need to consider if it’s something you’re going to need to keep using for a long period. In some instances, it can be for your entire lifetime. This is why you need to make sure the cost of the supplement suits you financially.

The Bottom Line

There might be many reasons why you may to opt for taking a dietary supplement. Factors like age, pre-existing medical conditions, different types of allergies, and pregnancy might be some reasons why your body might require a dietary supplement.

If you need any more clarification on dietary supplements, drop your questions in the comments section below.