I’m in need of a new pair of running shoes for the gym because my old ones are ripping apart. I don’t want the cheap ones from Walmart that’ll break within less in a month. So where do I go and look? What questions should I ask before finding the perfect pair?
Apparently we “may be wearing the wrong shoes for their particular stride or the right shoes that were chosen for the wrong reasons.” Some people think we should buy shoes based on which way our foot turns or the impact from every step. Others think its based on characterisitics(arch) or feel(comfortable) The determing factor that determines this is the injury risk.
One study done at a U.S Army center for for health promotion and preventing looked specifically at the arch support for shoes. They used 2700 Air Force recruitments and seperated them into two groups; control vs non control. The non control group wore shoes based on their arched foot. “Individuals with high arches were given cushioned shoes, individulas with medium arches were given stability shoes, and individuals with low arches were given motion control shoes. “All members of the control group were given stability shoes regardless of individula arche height.”
The main thing looked at during the experiment was whether one group ended having more foot injury risks than the other. The end results was that not one risk happened between the groups. So the arches aren’t causing the risk.
Another study by Dr. Benno Nigg looked at the comfortable aspects. He told soilders to try on a pair of shoes using six different inserts. () After trying all of them on, they picked which ones were the most comfortable and then had to wear it with the shoe used for military. There was another group that just wore the standard footwear. After a few months Dr. Niggs found out the shoes with the insert are more comfortable.
After looking at more research its determined that when picking shoes comfort wins. Theres a very low chance on injury risk associated with comfort. “Your brain generates this feeling based on afferent feedback that it receives from your body.”
Some tips before you go out buying that shoe are:
- shoe store with experienced staff
- try lots of different ones on
- secure and no slippage
- pressure or pinch
- molds to the foot
3. break them in
Now I know what to do when I go and buy my first pair of good running shoes. The rish of hurting my foot is much more likely to happen than meeting Kim Kardashian anytime soon and I need to be cautious. That’s why its good to look at options before just spending on the first shoes you see.
Almost every member of my family is a long distance runner which causes for lots of talk about almost all things running related. Both of my parents who run upwards of ten miles per week get a new pair of running sneakers every month. I don’t know if you found any research pertaining to this, but they say they get a new pair every month because it is essential and helping them run to their best ability.
I also have a problem with my ankles as well. Over the last couple of years my left ankle tends to roll inward when walking. I just need a pair that’s wide and comfortable. If i had more time I would look at if the size and whether medium or wide has anything to do with what type of shoes you should buy and injuries associated.
I am really interested in the topic of your blog. I used to have a internship in a shoes manufatory. In every five pair of shoes, one pair was made by this factory. Shoes with different brand, like nike, new balance, puma etc. have different standard. For running shoes, Asics can be the best. I can not tell you more because of the contract, but for running and doing excercises, Asics is my favorite.
http://baike.baidu.com/link?url=A00cf7oEn5RnFnVmhHy7y10z3yOkP0Zxd11vd41sNWEImEFCZLTHF-Z5UqOKSCmsGnAVC5w1BxOPi9dYVZOkwa
Running shoes and cleats are the most painful things for me to purchase because their is no way to truly test how they will feel after a day of physical training. For me ankle stability is key because of my history of bad ankle mobility I am at higher risk of having injury, So i always look for nice cushioned shoe and for cleats I tend to buy high tops in like a half size smaller to allow it to be tight around the ankle area.
I love sneakers. Matter in fact, I sell sneakers through ebay to earn a bit of cash during the school year! One of the main things I think is important to consider when purchasing a pair of shoes is for the intended purpose. Athletics? Casual? Winter? I agree with your bullets points that you should go to a” shoe store with experienced staff, try lots of different ones on, secure and no slippage.” In addition shoes should ultimately be comfortable! Every major shoe company offers the public their signature cushioning system. Nike has a cushioning foam called Lunarlon, Adidas has “Boost” cushioning, Asics has Gel cushioning and Under Armour has Micro G. Whether the brand, it is imperative to try on the shoes before you buy them. One of the things I liked about your blog was how you provided the study that included the army. Here is an article I found that further explains how the Army’s policy on shoes/boots. Overall, your blog was a great read!
During my time in high school, I did a lot of running with the school teams and I just wanted to add to the article. I agree with everything you said, comfort is key and trying on multiple shoes to find a pair that fits nicely is very important. However, from my experience, listening to the store employees can be vey beneficial even if a certain shoe feels a little out of your comfort zone. Many shoe stores, especially running stores like the one I shopped at, have experts that can analyze your style of running meaning whether or not you plant to the left, middle, or right and whether you land more on your heel or toes. Going outside of what you know as comfortable to adjust to your inmate running style can actually save you injuries and complications in the long run, no pun intended. And like you said, breaking in your shoes is very important and you will most likely find that most shoes will become very comfortable after just a few, decent runs.