Alternatives for Joint Conditions

From the development of special running shoes to controlling soft tissue vibration, Dr. Benno Nigg’s groundbreaking research in clinical biomechanics is taking bone and joint health care to new heights.

Benno Nigg is an enigma. In a world dominated by engineers and clinicians, Nigg is a physicist from Switzerland who has dedicated over 25 years of his life to research focusing on lower extremity biomechanics, a field of study that is moving society towards a pain-free and healthier lifestyle.

As the founder and co-director of the Human Performance Lab (HPL) in the Faculty of Kinesiology at the U of C, Nigg is recognized internationally as a leading authority on running shoe mechanics. His work has resulted in over 280 publications and numerous awards for excellence. Thanks to Nigg’s contributions, the HPL is now recognized as one of the world’s leading research centres in basic and applied human neuro-musculoskeletal health and well-being.

Currently, Nigg and his team are looking at the intensity of small muscles and the influence they have on joint stress. “The ankle alone has 11 muscles crossing the joint, most of which are small,” says Nigg. “When we buy shoes that provide stability for us, we take away our capacity to maintain the strength of those muscles – the shoe does all the work, and our muscles begin to deteriorate.”

When this deterioration occurs, the bigger muscles take over to provide the majority of the stability during locomotion, increasing forces on the joint and accelerating the probability of joint damage and pain. To combat this problem, Nigg has developed a number of special running shoes designed specifically to create instability and build muscle – gaining attention around the world from companies such as Adidas, Nike, and Dr. Scholl’s. In addition to his work in the development of shoes and orthotics, Nigg also conducts groundbreaking research that focuses on controlling soft tissue vibration to decrease both unnecessary energy expenditure and joint stress.

“Impact forces during locomotion (e.g., at heel strike) cause minute vibrations in the soft tissue of the body that can be detrimental to some individuals in the long run – causing decreases in nerve conduction velocity, and reduced peripheral circulation,” says Nigg. “If we can figure out a way to properly tune our tissues and reduce this ‘tissue wobbling’ affect, then we could potentially reduce both energy loss and the amount of stress on our joints.”

“Understanding the basics of human mobility is a fascinating process that allows us to explore the possibility of alternative treatments for the large majority of our population suffering from joint conditions,” says Nigg. “The research we do here at the U of C provides us with the opportunity to transfer this knowledge directly to the general public. Hopefully, this means a healthier future that allows all of us to maintain activity and mobility throughout our life span.