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Athletic shoes serve a different purpose than casual and dressy footwear, which is reflected in their design. Although composition varies by activity, all athletic shoes tend to include more grips on the outsole, a midsole with cushioning and impact absorption, overlays for support, and a closer fit that moves with the athlete.
The goal is to give the runner or player a shoe that aligns with the activity’s motions that doesn’t negatively impact their performance or contribute to injury.
Yet, not all athletic shoes are created equal and their strengths eventually lessens with excessive wear. As a result, athletes on every level have the potential to experience foot and ankle injuries. Learn more about the common reasons why this can occur.
Incorrect Shoe for the Sport
As one example, there are many footwear options available for runners, from going barefoot to wearing extra padded shoes. Many related injuries, particularly rolled and sprained ankles, boil down to one simple factor: The athlete is not wearing footwear designed for the sport.
Oftentimes, a shoe doesn’t provide the right level of ankle support. For instance, wearing cross-training shoes for basketball or hiking. Due to each activity’s demands, the lack of support in this area increases the risk of a twisted ankle. Other common scenarios include:
- You require a forward-motion shoe to prevent a higher risk of ankle strain and fatigue.
- You require a shoe that allows for lateral movement and, in these scenarios, a design built for forward movement doesn’t provide support in the right areas.
Insufficient Arch Support
Not all feet have the same shape. By default, athletic shoes are constructed with an arched footbed, which provides the average athlete with a modest amount of support.
Yet for individuals with pronated feet, this design may not provide the amount of support needed to feel comfortable and increases the risk of developing flat feet. In these instances, an athlete or runner should supplement their pair with a set of orthotic inserts.
You Depend on the Padding
Padding is a key component of most athletic shoes, designed to cushion the feet, absorb shock when you land and reduce the potential for impact-related injuries. Unfortunately, most take the padding for granted and assume it will remain protective, no matter how hard you play or run.
As a result, some athletes may ignore form and with time, the padding wears down and doesn’t offer the same degree of impact absorption.
Signs of Poorly Fitting Athletic Shoes
Your athletic shoes are not appropriately suited to your activity if you notice any of the following:
- Bruised Toes: If the toe box is too tight, it can place more pressure directly on the toes. In extreme cases, this may cause an athlete to lose a toenail during the activity.
- Blisters: Although your socks may be to blame, blisters can emerge when the shoe repeatedly rubs against your foot during an activity. This can occur when the shoe is too loose, too tight or not suited to the appropriate motions.
- Plantar Fasciitis: Generally, this condition emerges as a stabbing pain in the heel, often resulting from repeatedly slamming your feet against the ground. Athletes start to experience this sensation when their shoes don’t provide the right level of support for the activity or have experienced significant wear.
- Stress Fractures: A combination of poor form along with shoes that no longer provide sufficient shock absorption can lead to joint inflammation and stress fractures.
- Tendonitis: When an athletic shoe doesn’t provide the correct or enough support, tendons around the outer edge of the foot or the ankle can become inflamed.
If you’ve been experiencing foot and ankle pain, poorly fitting athletic shoes could be the reason. To relieve your discomfort, learn proper form and how to prevent future injuries, work with the physical therapists at Integrated Rehab.
For more information on our services, contact us today.