Thursday, April 14, 2011

Get Your Feet to Spring Into Shape!

Early planning Tips for the spring athlete! 

 

Spring is approaching fast.  For those athletes itching to get outdoors, plan now to be ready the minute the temperature stays consistently in the positive digits. 

 

Different sports activities call for specific footwear to protect feet and ankles. Sports-specific athletic shoes are a wise investment for serious athletes, though perhaps a less critical consideration for the weekend or occasional athlete. Nevertheless, it's a good idea to use the correct shoe for each sport.

 

Athletic footwear should be fitted to hold the foot in the position that's most natural to the movement involved, says chiropodist, Cristol Smyth, Chiropodist, co-owner of Cobourg’s most comprehensive foot clinic Northumberland Physiotherapy and Foot Care Centre. 

 

“For example, a running shoe is built to accommodate the impact on the forefoot, while a tennis shoe is made to give relatively more support to the ankles, and permit sudden stops and turns.  Because of the many intricate maneuvers involved in such events and the added strain they put on the feet, athletic shoes ought to be fitted for comfort and support”, says Smyth.

 

Smyth always tells patients that it is widely accepted that a regular regimen of walking is physically rewarding. Here again, footwear with proper support is most important.

 

Smyth recommends the following tips when selecting the appropriate footwear. 

 

1.       Choose a good quality, lightweight walking shoe with breathable upper materials, such as leather or nylon mesh.

2.       The heel counter should be firm and the heel positioned close to the ground for walking stability.

3.       The front or forefoot area should have flexibility, and plenty of room for the toes to move around.  

4.       Consideration should be given to cushioned soles for resilience on hard surfaces and tread for traction on slippery surfaces.

Posted via email from Northumberland Physiotherapy and Foot Care Centre's posterous

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