Some sports (football and hockey immediately come to mind) require players to wear specialized equipment. Others, such as long distance running, require very little equipment to participate. But with few exceptions, all sports require some type of footwear.
Athletic shoe manufacturers would have you believe that you need a different type of shoe for each sport/athletic activity. But is this true? Generally, no.
Unless you regularly participate in a specific sport—at least two to three times per week—a good cross-training shoe is usually sufficient. There are, of course, exceptions. For example, you're much better off playing football and baseball in cleats. And regular running definitely requires a specific type of shoe.
Though shoe manufacturers hype the special features of each shoe they make, sports shoes can be divided into two general categories.
If you're a walker, should you buy walking shoes instead of running shoes? No need. Despite being called "walking" shoes, most are designed like cross-training shoes, offering lateral support while skimping on bottom padding and heel elevation. So if you walk a lot, you're actually better off wearing a good pair of running shoes with their support for continuous forward motion and pounding.
Here are some specific tips on buying sports shoes:
With all athletic shoes, and especially with running shoes, be certain there's at least a thumb's width from the tip of your longest toe to the front of the shoe (test this while standing up).
While you should never buy athletic shoes that are uncomfortable in the store, all shoes have to be "broken in" to accommodate the specific shape of your feet. Therefore, never run a marathon in new running shoes. Along the same line, you shouldn't wear new cross-training or sport-specific shoes during an entire game until you've worn them a number of times in practice.
Paying up
Don't skimp on the quality of the shoes you buy, but don't go overboard either.
Once you've bought a pair of athletic shoes, how long should it be before you replace them? Many people wait until the soles of the shoes wear out before buying a new pair, but that's not a good idea. Very often, the shock absorption of running shoes or the lateral stability of cross-training and sport-specific shoes will wear out long before the soles do.
Use the following measures as a guide:
What should you do if you have feet that are extremely difficult to fit?
Start by seeing a podiatrist to make sure there's no serious underlying problem. If there isn't, a custom made orthotic (a support made of plastic, polyurethane, or other material that can be easily molded to the shape of your feet) worn inside your shoes may prove helpful. If you have extremely wide or narrow feet, consider athletic shoes from a company like New Balance, which manufactures athletic shoes in a large range of widths. Or, for more difficult problems—such as misshapen or extremely sensitive feet or major differences between the size of the left and right foot—consider custom-made athletic shoes.
RESOURCES:
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
http://www.aaos.org
American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine
http://www.aapsm.org
American Running Association
http://www.americanrunning.org
References:
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website. Available at: http://www.aaos.org .
American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine website. Available at: http://www.aapsm.org .
American Running Association website. Available at: http://www.americanrunning.org .
Athletic shoes. Dr. Stephen M. Pribut's Sport Pages website. Available at: http://www.drpribut.com/sports/sportframe.html .
Athletic shoes must fit the activity, too. USA Today . October 17, 1996.
Coaches and athletic trainers' corner. American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine website. Available at: http://www.aapsm.org/ct0598.html .
Criteria for AAPSM athletic shoe recommendation list. American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine website. Available at: http://www.aapsm.org/crishoe.html .
Last reviewed December 2008 by Robert Leach, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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