Choosing the right sports shoes for those budding athletes.

Kiwis are renowned for their love of sports and adventure. Our future generation of athletes is running around on the playground at this very moment. Kids love to run. Those of us who constantly ran barefoot may be suffering the consequences now. Let’s protect those precious feet and provide them with the proper running shoes.

Some helpful tips when choosing the right sports shoes for your children. Help prevent problems such as ingrown toenails, blisters, severs, flat feet, gait development, plantar fasciitis, and foot warts/verrucas.

  • Children need to try their sports shoes on.
  • Don’t forget to bring in their socks that they would normally wear while participating in sports.
  • While allowing for growth, avoid the temptation to buy a bigger size. Chances are if your children are active, they will have worn them out before the next growth spurt.
  • The midsole should not be too hard and stiff. While rubber cup soles are cheaper, they are not ideal for comfort.
  • Ensure that the shoe bends behind the toes and not in the arch area.
  • Chose a reputable shoe store- you can be guaranteed of the correct fit and shoe for purpose.
  • There should be an index finger width between the longest toe and end of the shoe.
  • When stopping and starting the foot should not slide back and forth inside the shoe.
  • The heel should remain inside the heel counter, keeping the foot stable. This will help prevent your child from developing severs.
Choosing the right sports shoes for those budding athletes

Choosing the right sports shoe will make sure that your children’s growth plates are not compromised in the foot or lower leg. Inflexible or worn-out shoes will start to negatively impact the Achilles, especially if your children are active.

The most important thing and often the most difficult compromise, your future athlete has to give their stamp of approval. Going barefoot too often increases the chances of fungal infections and ingrown toenails. Chances are, if your children are not happy with the colour or style of their sports shoe, they may opt not to wear them or pull the old switcheroo by hiding a “cooler” but less appropriate pair of shoes in their backpack. Healthy Feet can help give you advice on choosing the footwear that fit your individual child’s needs.

For more information about how Podiatry can help you, call us today

www.respod.co.nz

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