Although exercise is needed for general well-being, running shoes may be detrimental to hips, knees and ankles, a new study suggests.

Despite physicians stressing the importance of exercise, research published in PM&R: The Journal of Injury, Function and Rehabilitation, suggests that running in sneakers exert more stress on joints than running barefoot does.

Researchers selected 68 healthy adults who run on a regular basis, noting the torque in hips, knees and ankles when jogging both in running shoes and barefoot.

There was an average of 54 percent increase in rotation torque when participants wore sneakers rather than when running barefoot. There was also a 36 percent increase in knee flexion torque and 38 percent increase in knee varus torque.

The scientists believe that although running shoes provides the proper support a runner needs, a negative factor is the increased levels of stress.

“Remarkably, the effect of running shoes on knee joint torques during running (36%-38% increase) that the authors observed here is even greater than the effect that was reported earlier of high-heeled shoes during walking (20%-26% increase),” explained lead author Dr. Casey Kerrigan.

For those experiencing joint pain brought on by running, such as bromelain and omega 3 fatty acids.