Navigating Your Way Through Athletic Shoe Choices

Does athletic shoe shopping drive you crazy? Visit any shoe store and you’ll be treated to row upon row of colorful, high tech shoes that are designed for running, hiking, cross training and virtually every sport you can imagine. Is there really a difference from one shoe to another? Perhaps. Most fitness experts will recommend a shoe designed specifically for any activity you participate in more than three times a week. To make shoe shopping a bit less painful here is a quick guide to the basic types of athletic shoes you’ll find in most stores.

· Running Shoes are designed to provide maximum overall shock absorption for the foot and should also have good heel control. Although not a cure-all, these qualities in a running/sports shoe help to prevent shin splints, tendinitis, heel pain, stress fractures and other overuse syndromes.

· Hiking Shoes are often sturdy, high tops, in a dark color to hide trail dust. A good pair of hiking shoes will give you good traction on uneven or slippery surface and provide good ankle support.

· Walking Shoes are designed for comfort and support. Shoes can be divided into motion control, stability and race walking shoes. Walking shoes have more rigidity in the front so you can roll off your toes rather than bend through them as you would while running.

· Cross Trainers combine several of the above features so that you can participate in more than one sport. A good cross trainer should have the flexibility in the forefoot you need for running combined with the lateral control necessary for aerobics or tennis.

· Aerobic Training Shoes should be lightweight to prevent foot fatigue and have extra shock absorption in the sole beneath the ball of the foot (metatarsal area) where the most stress occurs.

Dealing With Athletes Most Common Injuries

Whether you’re a professional athlete or a weekend warrior, injuries are bound to happen! Here’s a look at some of the most common injuries.

· Low back strain: The weekend warrior is especially vulnerable. Without regular and proper strength training an activity like soccer or baseball, that requires a lot of kicking or rotating, can cause undue low back strain.

· Neck whiplash: While most common in car accidents, whiplash can also occur during contact sports. An injury to the soft tissue of the neck, it’s usually caused by sudden and unanticipated movement of the head—backward, forward or sideways.

· Sprained ankle: This injury can occur with a physical contact sport or without contact as when someone inadvertently steps into a hole, off a curb or looses their footing. For those with frequent ankle sprains or weakness, multiple strength training exercises can prevent future injury.

· Jammed Fingers: From hammers during home fix it projects to balls during basketball scrimmages, jammed fingers are a common occurrence. No athletic conditioning offers protection. To treat, use ice and traction to reduce discomfort and swelling.

· Bruising: Bruising is common in contact sports as well as with at home adventures! People often wonder if there is any way to treat these lingering black, yellow and green marks. The answer is yes! Icing will actually get bruise to heal much faster. Also taking arnica (oral and topical) can be very helpful as well as vitamin C, E and K. Consult your doctor for proper dosage.