Everybody wants to be a winner.
This article discusses the features you should look for in good, supportive athletic shoes.
Follow these guidelines, and you and your feet can be winners at the end of the day. F2.
Q. What features should good, supportive athletic shoes have?
A. The following tips are good general guidelines to consider when selecting athletic shoes:
- The upper part of the shoe should be made of quality leather or mesh that allows breath-ability and strong weather protection.
- The shoes should be lined with fabric that quickly moves heat and moisture to the vented areas of the shoes. this will result in dry, cool, comfortable feet.
- The shoes should have cushion insoles to absorb shock, especially at the ball and heel of the foot. The insole should be removable for easy cleaning and/or to accommodate an orthotic device or modifications.
- 4) The shape of the shoes should match the shape of your feet. If you have wide, fleshy feet, Choose shoes with a generous toe area. You should be able to wiggle your toes in your shoes, if not, they are too narrow, too short, or both.
- 5) The soles of the shoes should be as wide as the entire upper part of the shoes. If the sole is cut in at the arch area, you will lose vital support in the arches of your feet.
- 6) The shoes should not bend at the arch area, if it does, the shoe WILL NOT effectively support the arches of your feet.
- 7) The shoes should have a firm heel box, this will stabilize your heels and ankles.
- 8) The shoes should have flex grooves on the soles from the ball area of the shoes forward. This will allow your feet to flex naturally.
- 9) The soles of the shoes should be made from high density materials to ensure stability, shock absorption, traction and durability.
- 10) Choose your shoes for fit and function first, fashion last.
Remember, whether you're a marathon runner or a weekend walker, properly constructed shoes, as well as properly fitting shoes are vital for healthy feet and a healthy body. At Cobbler's Corner, we provide shoes for the serious athlete, as well as the casual walker. We go to great lengths to accommodate our customers of all fitness levels, foot types, and sizes with quality footwear that is properly designed and professionally fit for each individual. There is not a pair of feet we cannot fit. In a lifetime, the average person walks enough miles to circle the globe 4 times. The right footwear WILL make a difference in your life. Make sure your footwear, instead of being part of the problem,
is part of the healthy solution! For more information on how we can start you on the road to healthy feet, stop in or call. Just follow this link→Hours, Location & Phone No.
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D5 Q. I have a sports injury. What can a pedorthist do for me? A. Pedorthics and Sports Injuries Foot injuries are among the most common sports injuries. The reason being, the foot contains 26 bones plus dozens of joints, tendons and muscles that can be injured. Because there are so many components of the foot, it is easy for a routine injury, like a sprain, to mask a more serious problem. Appropriate footwear can help athletes avoid or lessen foot injuries. Although footwear con not prevent injuries entirely, it can play a major role in rehabilitation and recovery. Certified pedorthists specialize in shoes and foot orthotics, and can play a significant role as part of an athlete's health care team. When foot injuries do occur, a pedorthist can help an athlete during treatment and rehabilitation. Many sports subject the to weight loads far in excess of the body's weight. During a 10 mile run, for example, the foot strikes the ground about 15,000 times with a force equal to 3 or 4 times the runner's body weight. The foot must absorb the stress the weight creates. Sports such as basketball and tennis require sudden starts, stops and changes in direction, placing extraordinary demands on the feet and shoes. As more stress is placed on the feet and the footwear, the risk of injury to the foot increases. Because the foot has so many parts, such a foot injury can often go under diagnosed. Most sports injuries can be broadly categorized as acute or chronic. Acute injuries are new, with a clear cause. Chronic injuries usually occur from overuse or repetitive movement or stress. Sometimes an athlete plays through the pain, ignoring an injury or favoring the injured area and putting unusual pressure on another spot, causing additional damage without realizing it. For example, favoring an injured knee can place additional stress on the foot, leading to foot injury. The shoe is probably the most important piece of equipment for elite, as well as part time athletes, because foot and surface contact is fundamental to success. Most athletes recognize this by choosing sport-specific footwear. Unfortunately, sport-specific footwear, however well designed, can not address individual factors such as:
•the amount of training time;
•the intensity of training;
•the training surface;
•the athlete's physical condition, weight, foot type and foot shape;
•congenital foot conditions and/or previous injuries;
A certified pedorthist can help an athlete choose the appropriate footwear based on a knowledgeable assessment of these factors. Many sports create considerable stress on the foot, which over the course of months or years, causes more wear and tear than would normally occur. A Certified Pedorthist can help an athlete accommodate, correct or compensate for the greater than average stress their feet experience by shoe modifications and foot orthotics. For example, over the years, the natural fatty heel pad wears down, lessening the heel's ability to absorb shock. A Certified Pedorthist can recommend footwear that can help deal with this natural breakdown. Most shoes have a removable insole that can be replaced with an insole tailored to the athlete's needs. Such shoe modifications, however, must be individualized for the athlete and the sport. Whether the footwear need is preventative, accommodative, conservative or compensatory, pedorthics can help athletes remain active and continuing to enjoy their sport.
Cobbler's Corner has the solution! For advice on footwear, socks and foot care products,
call our state licensed, nationally accredited, pedorthic facility,
or stop in and speak with one of our professional shoe fitters or pedorthists.
You'll be glad you did! Just follow this link for our → Phone No., Hours and Contact Information. Return to Top of Page
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SPORTS AND YOUR FEET