What separates the tennis player from the football jock; the marathon runner from the weekend hiker? How about the soccer enthusiast from the baseball pro? Well, one of the most important things that make all of these athletes different is the shoes on their feet.

Athletic shoes help prevent injury

There’s a reason different kinds of athletic shoes exist. It’s to help protect your feet from harm! You see, different sports place different demands on your feet. For example,

Running involves repeated pounding, often on pavement, that can easily cause repetitive stress injuries.

Basketball requires a lot of jumping and hard landings on a hard court surface.

Soccer and football feature lots of quick changes in direction on grass or artificial turf, which puts a lot of demand on every structure in your foot.

They’re not interchangeable
Since every sport has different kinds of moves, each shoe is designed to support those kinds of moves. A basketball shoe has firm side support; a running shoe has more flexibility. And the truth is, those differences can be hard to detect from the outside. At first glance, you might have a hard time seeing the difference between a pair of tennis shoes and a pair of walking shoes. But there are many differences on the inside.

Take the differences seriously

Choosing the right athletic shoe can mean the difference between an injury-free season and one spent on the sidelines. Foot care specialists Dr. Heidi M. Christie and Dr. Chanda L. Day-Houts of Montgomery Foot Care Specialists treat athletes for repetitive stress injuries – including Achilles tendinitis, chronic heel pain, stress fractures, and neuromas– that may have been avoided by wearing the proper shoe.

So, shop at a reputable shoe store. Choose one that specializes in your sport and has knowledgeable salespeople. You’re also welcome to contact us for advice about what shoe is best for you. We can also perform a complete examination of your feet to rule out any biomechanical issues that can contribute to injury. Call us at our office in Montgomery, AL at (334) 396-3668 or make an appointment online.