If The Shoe Fits
Finding the right ath
letic shoe is crucial to
optimal performance
for sports
(NAPSI) - The right athletic shoe
can enhance the performance of young
athletes. Conversely, a shoe that fits
- poorly can hamper performance and
could possibly cause injury.
Whether looking for running shoes,
football cleats or soccer boots,
footwear shoppers need to know what
to look for to find the right pair of
shoes. Kevin Carroll, Nike's resident
sports medicine specialist and expert
on training, offers tips for parents and
teens on how to make sure the shoes
they buy, regardless of brand, will
enhance their athletic performance.
?? Proper fit: Make certain your
child gets a good fit. Use a Brannock
device (that scientific-looking chrome
device that measures length and width
of the foot, found at most quality shoe
stores). Allow plenty of room to grow.
A child's foot usually stops growing at
around age 12. Up to that age, allow
for room when selecting footwear.
? Rule of thumb: Allow a half-size
until the foot stops growing, or gener
ally a thumb's length from the big toe
to the end of the shoe. Extra volume
can be taken up with extra socks. This
gives your child's foot some room to
grow between new pairs of shoes.
? Static vs. dynamic fit: Accuracy
and proper fit are sacrificed if your
child simply sits and tries on a pair of
shoes (static fit). It may feel good, but
it's not an accurate test. Once that pair
of shoes is laced up, have your child
get up and move around. Walk, run a
little, move from carpet to hard floor.
This dynamic fit test will allow your
child to test a range of motion, similar
to what he or she will experience every
day. Then ask about potential blister
areas, pressure or hot spots that the
child might sense.
? Take athletic socks with you, or
at least the kinds of socks you child
will wear most often.
? Girls shoes vs. boys" shoes: Each
has specific needs for fit. Older girls,
who are moving into women's athletic
footwear, should seek footwear that is
designed specially for women, afford
ing the correct fit, rather than the shoe
just being scaled-down men's
footwear.
? Function of the shoe: Know how
your child will wear these shoes. For
physical education class, for example,
a general type of product will suffice.
It doesn't have to be specialized. A
cross-trainer works well for PE-gym
floors and athletic fields and for gen
eral duty.
? Range of motion: Know the range
of motion for specific sports. Shoe
needs will vary depending on how the
young athlete moves. For running
shoes, the motion is linear, or basically
a forward, heel-to-toe motion. Cross
training and casual field sports require
not Only running motion, but some lat
ere K the shoe fits <w Paoi 11
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