Shoes with high heels are the fashion choice for many women around the world. However, a new study by Stanford University in the USA proves that wearing high heels over a long period of time can permanently injure the body. The study by a biomotion team from the University scanned the knees of healthy women as they walked at a normal pace in flat shoes, 1.5 inch heels and 3.5 inch heels. The results send a warning to women who want to wear high heels that they risk permanent damage to their knees. The researchers found that when women wear high heels, their knees are held in an awkward, bent position causing the joints to perform as though aged or damaged joints would – increasing the risk the condition known as osteoarthritis, which could require surgery.
Britain’s Daily Express newspaper reports a recent survey of 1,200 women that shows how popular high heels are. It said 93 per cent of women felt sexier and more feminine when they wore heels, 88 per cent said they considered themselves more stylish and 77 per cent said their heels made them feel slimmer. Most women prefer to ignore health warnings, and even the pain and discomfort of wearing heels, to look and feel good.
A British doctor, Tim Allardyce, said he regularly treats women with problems caused by wearing heels. “Because of the odd ∠ at which the feet are held in high-heeled shoes, it increases the downward pressure on the knees by 25 per cent, placing significant stress on the kneecaps, even when you’re standing still,” he explains. He added: “Standing and walking on the balls of your feet throws the skeleton out of its usual, healthy alignment, which means muscles and joints throughout the body have to compensate to maintain its centre of gravity and keep the body upright.”
(www.breakingnewsenglish.com / www.express.co.uk. Adaptado.)
In the excerpt from the first paragraph “wearing high heels over a long period of time can permanently injure the body”, the word “can” ⟹
