| No matter what your sport is, your athletic | | | | have a flexible or rigid foot. Your athletic |
| shoes are one of the most important pieces of | | | | shoe should be opposite of your foot type. |
| equipment. From tennis to running, basketball | | | | For rigid feet, you can get by with mesh or |
| to soccer, choosing the right athletic shoes | | | | other light materials for the upper, as you |
| for the right reasons can make a huge | | | | need less support for your foot. For a |
| difference in keeping your feet and body | | | | flexible foot, you should lean more toward a |
| healthy. Below you will find some of the | | | | rigid upper, that will control excessive |
| things you need to consider when choosing | | | | motion and reduce stress. |
| shoes for your sport. | | | | |
| | | | The Arch |
| Style Isn't Everything | | | | |
| | | | Arch support is essential for good athletic |
| Just about every day, someone asks me about | | | | shoes. Even people with good arches, or great |
| their shoes. Questions vary from sport to | | | | feet mechanics should have sufficient arch |
| sport, but the fact remains that the majority | | | | support. But, arch support is more than just |
| of people choose athletic shoes based on | | | | the arch. It is the way that the sole of the |
| brand names and styles, rather than what is | | | | athletic shoe is created and constructed that |
| best for their own feet. | | | | determines the overall characteristics of the |
| | | | arch. And as far as those cushy insoles that |
| I know that it can be hard to pass up those | | | | they try to upsell you at the shoe store - |
| awesome looking shoes that match your uniform | | | | pass on those as they just add comfort, not |
| perfectly, but in the long run, the most | | | | support. |
| important thing is that the athletic shoe | | | | |
| serves its function...to support and protect | | | | When choosing shoes, look closely at the sole |
| your feet. So, lets take a closer look at | | | | of the shoe. A good arch support will be |
| what makes a good athletic shoe. | | | | evident by the shape of the shoe. Notice the |
| | | | outline of the sole. There should be a |
| The Heel Box | | | | minimal amount of change in width between the |
| | | | toe and the heel. The wider the athletic shoe |
| When I explain shoes to my patients, I always | | | | is at the middle (where your arch is), the |
| start with the heel box. This is where most | | | | more surface area there is to support your |
| people are similiar in their needs. A sturdy | | | | foot. So, avoid shoes that start out wide at |
| heel box is essential to help control your | | | | the toe, narrow way down in the middle, and |
| rear-foot during athletic activities. The | | | | then flare out again at the heel. |
| heel box is essentially the back third of the | | | | |
| shoe, that surrounds your heel. Most athletic | | | | Change is Good |
| shoes have a heel box made up of leather, and | | | | |
| some type of plastic or rubber | | | | Even the perfect athletic shoe will wear out |
| re-inforcement. However, not all athletic | | | | over time. I have seen quite a few injuries |
| shoes are created equal. To test the heel | | | | due to old or worn out shoes. Just like any |
| box, try bending it over, or squeezing it in, | | | | other equipment, you should monitor your |
| and see how much resistance you encounter. If | | | | shoes, and replace them when they wear out. |
| you can easily fold over the heel box, then | | | | If you are a runner, monitor your mileage, |
| chances are you will not get much support. | | | | and replace them as appropriate. |
| | | | |
| The Upper | | | | How do you know when to buy new shoes? Well, |
| | | | holes, or pieces falling off are generally |
| This is the area where most people make the | | | | good indicators...But if it isn't that |
| mistake that causes injury. The "Upper" is | | | | obvious, look for all of the qualities that |
| the portion of the shoe that surrounds the | | | | you used to choose the athletic shoe in the |
| foot. It is the upper portion of the shoe, | | | | first place. Is the heel box still sturdy? Is |
| from the heel box to the toe box. Uppers can | | | | the upper as rigid as it needs to be to |
| be fashioned from all kinds of different | | | | control your foot? Is the arch still in good |
| materials, from mesh to leather, and other | | | | shape, or have you worn down one side of the |
| types of fabrics. Depending on your foot | | | | sole? Answer these questions, and inspect |
| type, you may need more or less support from | | | | your shoes often to keep them protecting your |
| the upper. | | | | feet. |
| | | | |
| This portion of the shoe helps to control the | | | | Summary |
| mid and forefoot. Too much motion in these | | | | |
| areas will allow for excessive stress through | | | | Good athletic shoes don't have to be flashy, |
| the meta-tarsals and tarsals, and can result | | | | or expensive to serve their intended purpose. |
| in stress fractures, tendonitis, and other | | | | There are lots of shoes out there that will |
| problems. To determine what type of foot you | | | | fit both your needs and your budget. Look for |
| have, grab ahold of your foot with both | | | | all of the right qualities to fit your foot, |
| hands, and move it around. Try moving | | | | and you are sure to make a wise decision. And |
| individual bones around...do you find lots of | | | | when in doubt? Discuss shoe wear with other |
| motion, with little resistance, or is your | | | | athletes, and the sales person at the shoe |
| foot very rigid, with little movement. You | | | | store. Chances are they have some good |
| don't have to be an expert to tell if you | | | | insight. |