Those bulky boots students are wearing are not high tech snow boots or the latest trend.

They are part of the treatment for stress fractures.

Stress fractures are overuse injuries from intense activities such as running. Muscles become fatigued and cannot absorb the shock from activity.

The overload of stress is transferred to the bone. It is common to develop stress fractures after being inactive for a period of time such as during the winter.

Dr. John Deitch, an orthopedist at Penn State Orthopaedics, 1850 E. Park Ave., said bone breakdown is accelerated to a higher level than bone formation when stress is transferred to the bone.

There is a fine line where bones can be over stressed and stressed appropriately Dr. Deitch said.

Stressed appropriately, bones will build mass. However, if a person over stresses a bone, the balance of quantity and quality of bone is not the same.

"An uneven balance and you develop a breakdown that leads to little microscopic fractures and finally a full blown stress fracture," Dr. Deitch said.

Stress fractures usually develop overtime because they are an overuse injury. Students are more prone to stress fractures when spring comes and students jump right into their 5-mile runs without gradual building, Dr. Deitch said.

Stress fractures in the lower leg and foot are the most common.

The only way to heal the injury is to rest it for 6 - 8 weeks and wear a hard air cast or "the boot."

Dr. Deitch had three tips for students who are planning to swap snow boots for running shoes soon.

First, a proper running shoe needs to be selected. It has to fit the runner's foot and have good shock absorption.

Secondly, Dr. Deitch said students need to increase their level of activity gradually.

Before starting a running program, students should spend time walking and work up to jogging then running.

Distances should be increased by a half-mile at a time. A runner needs a day of rest in-between runs. This does not necessarily mean sitting on the couch. A trip to the weight room or pool is an alternative to running for a day.

Cross training and varying exercise are the keys to avoiding injury.

Lastly, students need a well-balanced diet. Dr. Deitch said it is important for students to have sufficient calcium and vitamin D in their bodies.