New Ice Skate Design Reduces Stress

New Ice Skate Design Reduces Stress
Ice skating is a fun pastime, but it can take a toll on your body, triggering everything from hip and knee injuries to spinal problems.

Traditional figure skates are rigid for stability. Now a new design is putting the spring back in skaters' jumps and lessening the impact when they land.

The new skate design has a hinge at the back of the boot that allows a skater to move his or her foot up and down in a way that's similar to using a gas pedal. The toe is angled, pointing the way to a softer set-down.

"(It) allows (skaters) to utilize the ankle," said biochemist Jim Richards, Ph.D. "Currently their ankle's locked into place. They can land on the toe instead of flat-footed, which they're currently doing in their standard boots."

With the new design, the toe comes down first, which increases the landing time and spreads the shock from impact more evenly. This results in less stress on the knees, hips and spine.

Skater Rose Willard gave the new design a try. She was impressed not only by the reduced stress, but also by the spring the skates added to her routine.

"It has improved my skating in the height that I get from jumps," she said.

The new skates are scheduled to arrive in stores this spring. They should be similar in cost to traditional skates.