Sports Shoes and Socks
The purpose of an athletic shoe is to protect the foot from the stresses of the sport, while permitting the athlete to achieve her maximum potential. The concept of sport specific shoes is an important one. If the athlete lifts weights, plays tennis, does aerobics, runs 20 miles per week, cycles, plays golf and tennis, shoots hoops, snow boards, does mountain climbing, one should get shoes that are specifically made for each sport.
Different Sports Require Different Shoes
The forces and motions that occur in different sports vary greatly. Because of these differences participation in varied sports require varied shoes. A brief look at the foot and leg motions in running and tennis will readily demonstrate the differing requirements of these sports. Tennis and other racquet sports require much side-to-side motion and the shoe must provide lateral stability. The shoes appropriate for racquet sports usually do not have any heel elevation. If the shoe is unstable when the athlete is moving across the court to reach a ball, there is an increased chance of suffering an ankle sprain.
Running shoes have a larger toe box, more shock absorption, and better pronation control than tennis shoes. Long distance runners usually contact the ground on their mid-foot. Sprinters have forefoot contact. Middle distance runners vary and may have forefoot or mid-foot contact. Some runners contact the ground with their heel.
Select Shoes that Can Offer Best Protection
Shoes that have too much heel cushioning, including some of the air-cushioned models can also contribute to Achilles tendonitis. After the heel strikes the ground, it continues moving, as the shoe’s cushioning continues to absorb shock. This continued motion can stretch a susceptible Achilles tendon excessively.
Shoes that are too flexible in the mid-sole or that flex before the point at which the toes join the foot result in forces that can both directly cause a stretch in the plantar fascia and contribute to excess pronation in the foot (subtalar joint). The lack of stability that exists in a shoe with this characteristic occurs not just at the transverse plane of the shoe where the shoe actually flexes, but also in a longitudinal plane, reducing the effectiveness of the shoe in controlling pronation.
Here are more tips to select a sports shoe:
- The athlete must select a shoe specific for the sport in which she will participate.
- It is best to use a store that specializes in athletic shoes and has a good reputation. The help of the sports podiatrist may also be taken for the purpose.
- The store must be informed about the following – past and current injuries if any, general foot type and foot shape, previous shoe models worn, successful and problematic shoes worn.
- The foot must be measured each time one purchases shoes. Foot size may gradually change with age. The measurements should include sitting, standing and heel to toe, heel to ball and width.
- If the athlete wears an insert, an orthotic or an orthotic with a flat insert underneath it, one must bring these along to the shoe store. It is best to wear the same type of sock that may be used when participating in the sport, when one is fitted for the shoe.
- The shoe should be fit with the index fingers width between the longest toe and the end of the shoe. The toe box should have adequate room for one’s toes. The shoe should bend at the ball of the foot where the toes actually bend. If the heel to ball fit is off, then the break of the shoe will not match the foot and abnormal forces will develop in the foot and in the shoe. The heel should be stable and not move in and out of the shoe. The shoe should be worn for at least 10 minutes in the store, and if allowed, one may do a brief short jog outside of the store to see how it feels.
- The athlete must not wear a new shoe in a race. It is advisable to wear shoes and socks that have been broken in thoroughly.
- Appropriate socks must be selected.
Socks should be designed specific to the shoe, rather than the sport itself. Sock design in the upper and fiber composition can be varied greatly to meet the demands peculiar to the sport. Sock design and fiber variations as well as the sports applications that are best suited are enumerated below.
Upper Design & Sport Activity
- Over-the-calf: Baseball, Basketball, Outdoor (including liners) Ski, Snowboard, Soccer
- Mid-calf: Skate
- Slouch: Aerobics
- Crew: Running, Golf, Tennis, Racquetball, Hiking
Construction
- Thin or Thin Double Layer Outdoor(liners), Cycling, Running (racing), Skiing
- Padded or Thick Double-Layer Jogging, Skiing, Hiking, Tennis, Basketball
Fibers
- Acrylic: Golf, Tennis, Hiking
- Acrylic/Wool: Outdoor-Cold
- Acrylic/Thermax: Outdoor-Cool
- Acrylic/CoolMax: Outdoor-Warm
- CoolMax: Running, Cycling, Liners
- MicroSafe: Therapeutic Hosiery, i.e., Diabetes