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GOOD LUCK IN THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR.
As school starts up so do sports activities.
Choosing the correct fitting athletic shoe can be a challenge. Below are some back to school sports shoe tips! And remember, even though your old shoes may still look good on the outside, the inside counters or sole may be worn - which can cause foot pain or other issues.
Avoid some serious pain and raise your game by checking out the best shoes for several sports below.
Basketball, Tennis, and Volleyball
Common foot injuries: sprains, stress fractures, tendinitis
The appropriate footwear should:
- Have a thick, stiff sole that provides support for impact.
- Have high ankle construction that supports the ankle during quick changes in direction (for basketball).
- Be lighter, have less midsole support, and contain a sole more responsive to quick starts and stops (for volleyball).
Soccer
Common foot injuries: ankle sprains, turf toe, ingrown toenails, Sever's disease
The appropriate footwear should:
- Have a good-quality footbed, which can help provide proper support for the arch and user’s foot type.
- Feature the stud type for the ground that will be played on most often: soft, hard, firm, or turf.
- Use molded rubber cleats rather than the screw-on variety.
Football and Lacrosse
Common foot injuries: turf toe, Achilles tendinitis, ankle sprains
The appropriate footwear should:
- Have a good amount of high ankle support. This support is especially important for linemen and other players who make frequent lateral movements during play.
- Allow for proper traction on a grassy field, in both wet and dry conditions.
- Never be hand-me-downs; ill-fitting cleats increase the risk of ankle injuries.
Baseball and Softball
Common foot injuries: sprains, stress fractures, plantar fasciitis, tendinitis
The appropriate footwear should:
- Offer support to prevent arch pain, which frequently affects catchers. Customized shoe inserts called orthoses may help alleviate the pain.
- Not include metal baseball spikes for athletes younger than 13.
- Try multi-cleats for children ages 11–15 to avoid heel pain.
Running
Common foot injuries: plantar fasciitis, shin splints, stress fractures, Morton's neuroma
The appropriate footwear should:
- Provide shock absorption to help runners avoid injury. Running shoes are made for high-impact forward motion and should not be used for sports with lateral movement.
- Match your foot’s arch type (high, medium, low). A podiatric physician can measure your feet and let you know what type to look for.
- Be replaced after 600–800 miles of running or walking, or every 6–8 months.
apma.org
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