Choosing the right footwear
What should you be looking for when purchasing a new pair of shoes?
- Choose a shoe that suites your running gait and foot type. Money spent at the
podiatrist now, for a complete foot-strike and running gait analysis, will save
you much heart-ache and discomfort later. Having a shoe that suits your foot type
is the best prevention for injury and pain.
- When having your shoes fitted have both feet measured to ensure you get the most
appropriate size, and remember, your feet are three dimensional. The length of your
foot is only one part of a proper fitting, measure your feet for width and depth
to get a better fit.
- When purchasing footwear make your purchase in the later half of the day. Your
feet will swell during the normal course of a day, so avoid making a purchase in
the morning as you may find that your new shoes are half a size too small by the
afternoon.
When trying on new shoes always wear the socks that you will be using with your
new shoes.
- Never purchase tight fitting shoes in the hope that they will stretch or wear-in
over time.
Apart from good footwear and orthotic inserts, what else can you do?
Firstly, a thorough and correct warm up will help to prepare the muscles and tendons
for any activity or sport. Without a proper warm up the muscles and tendons around
your feet, ankles and lower legs will be tight and stiff. There will be limited
blood flow to the lower legs, which will result in a lack of oxygen and nutrients
for those muscles.
Secondly, flexible muscles are extremely important in the prevention of most ankle
and lower leg injuries involving pronation and supination. When muscles and tendons
are flexible and supple, they are able to move and perform without being over stretched.
If however, your muscles and tendons are tight and stiff, it is quite easy for those
muscles and tendons to be pushed beyond their natural range of movement. To keep
your muscles and tendons flexible and supple, it is important to undertake a structured
stretching routine.
Stretching is one of the most under-utilized techniques for improving athletic performance,
preventing sports injury and properly rehabilitating sprain and strain injury. Don't
make the mistake of thinking that something as simple as stretching won't be effective.