Specific shoes are needed for specific sports (ie: basketball, volleyball, running, etc.). The cost of buying shoes for multiple sports can be expensive, but not as expensive as doctor and physical therapy bills that can result with improper shoes. Remember, the most expensive shoes are not necessarily the best.

Nilesh Shah, MD, Summa Sports Health Medical Director, suggests looking for some basic characteristics in your shoe, based on your sport, keeping in mind to choose the proper shoe for your foot type as well. Characteristics to look for are:

RUNNING:

• Good shock absorption
• Rigid heel counter
• Good flexibility at the mid foot
• Good traction
• Protect the foot

Shah states that if you are doing a lot of trail running, buy a trail shoe, which offers better traction and a wider toe box. If doing a lot of racing, you can wear a racing flat shoe, but make sure not to train in these shoes every day as they offer less support/stability. However, make sure you’ve broken them (or any shoe in) a few times before racing in them.

FIELD SPORTS:

• Sport specific cleat or tread
• Match cleat to the playing surface, condition and sport
• The longer the cleat, the higher incidence of injury
• Artificial playing surfaces – stiffer soled shoe

Proper fit of shoes is as important as the type of shoes. Do not buy shoes bigger then your son or daughter needs. This causes the foot to slide, does not provide proper support and may lead to injury. It is also important not to wear shoes that are too old and small. This too causes injury. Adolescents are growing and their feet are developing and they need the right shoes to support them and help carry their increased size and weight.

Once the proper shoe has been purchased for the type of foot and sport to be used in and it is comfortable, allow time for the shoe to be broken in prior to practice. Wear the shoes in the house (unless cleated) to aid in breaking in and preventing blisters when practice begins. Encourage the athlete not to wear game/practice shoes outside of competition so that they do not wear out before the end of the year, or get covered with mud and water, which reduces traction, ruins the leather and wears them out.

Parents and coaches need to realize that shoes are like the tires on their car…they are only good for so many miles, practices, seasons. About one month before the start of a season, examine your child’s shoes. See if they still offer support around the foot, ankle, etc., that the soles still have even tread, that the mid sole is not compressed and still offers support and shock absorption and that there are no holes in them. If any of these things are present, you may want to replace them.

If your child/athlete has foot or leg problems, you may want to consult a sports medicine physician, podiatrist or orthopedic surgeon before purchasing shoes. Sometimes athletes have hip, back, knee, ankle or foot problems due to the make-up of their feet and may need orthotics. The athletes wear the orthotics during activity, as well as with daily activities.

Hollie Kozak is a licensed athletic trainer and the Business Manager for Summa Center for Sports Health. She can be reached at 330-379-5356.

Nilesh Shah, MD is the Medical Director for Summa Center for Sports Health and Pinnacle Sports Medicine. Dr. Shah is a board certified family practice physician and fellowship trained in Sports Medicine. Dr. Shah offers same day / next day physician appointments, including concussion evaluations. To contact him, call 330-379-9544.

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