It’s that time of year again where we see a change in sports season and unfortunately an influx of injuries. The ‘modern’ sports shoe has developed from an all purpose shoe or ‘cross trainer’ to a plethora of sport specific shoes.
The choices are abundant! High profile athletes and social media can influence our footwear choices, coupled with our own aesthetic and brand preferences. However it’s important to select a shoe that’s right for you. (Image below courtesy of Mizuno)
Why?
Wearing the correct shoes for your sport, not to mention in combination with adequate strength, conditioning and sport specific training, reduces the risk of injuries significantly.
The foot moves differently during a run when compared to the side-to-side movement whilst playing netball, basketball or tennis to name a few. Running itself can even present different needs in a shoe. For example sprinting as opposed to trail running, presents different terrain.
Whilst a lot of younger players will wear cross trainers or running shoes for sports such as football, soccer, hockey or touch, these sports all require quick, sharp movements when played on grass. These shoes were not specifically made for this and therefore expect accelerated wear & tear.
Of course in Tassie we often need footwear with more grip on the soles to combat wet weather! In this case, a younger player may have the option of wearing a trail running shoe or more sport specific boots. Even boots have subcategories: moulded, hybrid or studs…but we won’t go into that in this blog!
And don’t get us started about other requirements when playing on turf or we’ll be here all day!
What Does This Mean?
We need our footwear to act against different forces and terrains. Cross trainers act against the side-to-side forces whilst a running shoe is designed with forward motion in mind.
A cross trainer will generally fit the bill for someone who plays a multitude of sports at low intensities. However, if you’re at a high competitive level or playing/participating regularly then it makes sense to wear sport specific shoes.
The priority should be selecting a comfortable shoe that fulfils the needs of the individual, with consideration for current and past injuries. If you’re currently injury free and happy with your performance wearing your current sports shoes, then you might already have the right shoes for you!
The Wrap-Up
The reality is there isn’t one shoe (or brand for that matter) that is right for every person. There are so many variables that one must take into account when purchasing an athletic shoe, that to answer this question in any other way would be simply disingenuous. Hopefully you’re not in the position now with all the gear and no idea!
If you’re feeling overwhelmed with all the footwear options, book an appointment with us to discuss any questions you have about sport specific shoes and allow us to help you reach your best performance!
Questions? Concerns?
Call us on: 6331 4885 for an appointment, or book online:
https://balancefootstudio.com.au/make-a-booking/
Come and chat with our friendly Podiatrists if you have any questions.