Fun Challenge: Are you an Easy Stepper, Moderate Mover or Serious Strider?

Americans walk 75,000 miles by age 50, according to the APMA. If 75,000 is the average, how do you rank? What kind of effect does your ranking have on your feet? Take this challenge to find out!

1. ESTABLISH YOUR BASELINE
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

Circle your range from among the following:

	a.	30,000-45,000 miles	1
	b.	46,000-60,000 miles	2
	c.	61,000-74,000 mile	3
	d.	75,000 and up	4
			SUBTOTAL_________

* 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.

---

2.	WHICH CATEGORY BEST DESCRIBES YOUR CURRENT PROFESSION OR OCCUPATION? (Pick 1)

Easy Steppers
Examples: 1
Clerical/administrative positions
Data processing, computer programming positions
Accountants, attorneys
Executives

Moderate Movers 
Examples: 2
Doctors, flight attendants, chefs
Teachers, military personnel
Bank tellers, store clerks
Homemakers, farmers

Serious Striders
Examples: 3
Professional athletes/dancers
Mail carriers, police officers, teachers
Factory workers, waiters/waitresses, nurses
Store clerks, retail salespeople
Aerobics instructors

SUBTOTAL__________

---

3.	HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN ENGAGED IN THIS OCCUPATION?

	a.	less than 2 years	1
	b.	between 3-5 years	2
	c.	between 6-15 years	3
	d.	between 16-20 years	4
	e.	more than 20	5
			SUBTOTAL_________

---

4.	WHICH CATEGORY BEST DESCRIBES YOUR RECREATION/LIFESTYLE? (Pick 1)

Easy Steppers
Examples: 1
Walking
Gardening
Bowling
Shopping
Golfing
Moderate Movers

Examples: 2
Tennis
Racquetball
Biking
Power Walking
Serious Striders

Examples: 3
Jogging
Running
Basketball
Soccer
Aerobics

SUBTOTAL__________

---

5.	HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU ENGAGED IN THE ACTIVITY SELECTED IN NUMBER 4?

	a.	less than 2 years	1
	b.	between 3-5 years	2
	c.	between 6-15 years	3
	d.	between 16-20 years	4
	e.	more than 20	5
			SUBTOTAL_________

---

6.

HOW WOULD YOU CLASSIFY YOUR WEIGHT?

	a.	normal	1
	b.	underweight	2
	c.	overweight:
		by 10 pounds	3
		up to 20	4
		more than 20	5
		more than 50	6
			SUBTOTAL_________

---

7.	DO YOU REGULARLY WEAR HEELS TWO INCHES OR HIGHER?

	yes		2
	sometimes		1
	no		0
			SUBTOTAL_________

---

8.	DO YOU HAVE, OR HAVE YOU RECENTLY HAD, ANY OF THE FOLLOWING?

	a.	arthritis, joint pain, tendonitis, or heel pain
		yes	2
		no	0
			SUBTOTAL_________

	b.	flat feet or high arches
		yes	3
		no	0
			SUBTOTAL_________

	c.	corns, calluses, bunions, or hammertoes
		yes	2
		no	0
			SUBTOTAL_________

	d.	nails that are discolored, painful, or appear to be thick, brittle, or flaky
		yes	2
		no	0
			SUBTOTAL_________

	e.	poor circulation, cramping in legs, or nerve pain
		yes	3
		no	0
			SUBTOTAL_________

	f.	diabetes
		yes	5
		no	0
			SUBTOTAL_________

	f.	gout or psoriasis
		yes	2
		no	0
			SUBTOTAL_________

TOTAL SCORE __________

What Your Score Means

EASY STEPPERS / Low Risk Category / 0-20 points: Your feet and ankles are healthy and you can maintain your lifestyle with confidence. However, as you approach the 75,000 mile mark, and if you are experiencing foot/ankle discomfort, you should schedule an exam with a podiatric physician to ensure the long-term health of your feet and ankles. Furthermore, if you scored high points for questions 2, 3, 4, 5 or 8 you should consider visiting a podiatric physician in the near future for a check-up. 

MODERATE MOVERS / Moderate Risk Category / 21-40 points: As an active person, you have logged a significant amount of miles and your feet and ankles are showing signs of wear. Although you can continue your normal activities, if you are experiencing foot/ankle pain or discomfort, you should consider visiting a podiatric physician for a check-up. In addition, if you scored high points for questions 2, 3, 4, 5 or 8 you should visit a podiatric physician soon to safeguard your foot and ankle health. 

SERIOUS STRIDERS / High Risk Category / 41 points or higher: Your age, occupation, lifestyle and other factors have caused you to reach or surpass the 75,000-mile mark, which means you should pay close attention to the state of your feet and nkles. As a serious strider, you will continue to log mileage at a fast pace and your feet and ankles are at a heightened risk for long-term medical problems. To protect the health of your feet and ankles, you should visit a podiatric physician annually, particularly if you are experiencing any foot/ankle discomfort. 

Citation: 

American Podiatric Medical Association. (2011). 75,000 Mile Checkup. Retrieved from 

http://www.apma.org/MainMenu/News/Campaigns/PodiatristsKeepAmericaWalking/Archives/75000MileCheckup.aspx