Elaine Atkins Physiotherapy

Almost one third of patients receiving treatment from physiotherapists specialising in sports injuries are people who wear the wrong trainers while running, according to a survey by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

Our physiotherapist, Daniel Smith, was staggered to see that one in ten respondents to the survey, which was sent to members of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapist in Sports Medicine, estimated that sixty percent of patients seen during the past year presented with injuries which had been affected by wearing worn out or inappropriate footwear.

Says Daniel, 'At this time of year with thoughts of the coming Great North Run, various charity runs and the more distant London Marathon in mind, we physiotherapists see a stream of recreational runners who have taken up running in a bid to get in shape for their personal target limping into our clinics!

'Keen runners should hold off buying expensive and inappropriate training shoes until they have been checked out by our Chartered Physiotherapists who can pinpoint any injury hotspots and suggest trainers that will give them the best chance of staying injury free.

'Few people are aware of the risks inappropriate training shoes present, and are running in trainers which are really only suitable for general leisurewear. When it comes to choosing footwear, many runners are confused by gimmicks and glitzy advertising and give little thought to whether these shoes could do more harm than good.

'Trainers are designed for many different purposes. Some are designed for tennis or cross training, while others are purely for fashion wear. If you are planning to use your trainers for running you ought to visit our one of our physiotherapists. We are experts in movement analysis and biomechanics and can screen you for any muscle imbalances that you may have. We can advise on whether you need to opt for a shoe with better cushioning or motion control, or a combination of both. Following this advice will enable you to go into a sports shop and make an informed choice from the many models on offer.

'But it's not just fashion trainers people need to be wary of - worn out shoes can be just as dangerous. Runners' feet hit the ground anywhere between 800 and 2000 times a mile and as each foot hits the ground, it absorbs four times the person's weight. Quality trainers soak up some of the shock, but you need to remember that your shoes have a shelf life

'Runners should log their mileage because trainers need to be replaced every 400-500 miles, depending on whether they are used on hard or soft surfaces. Other warning signs to look out for are a degrading sole – if the tread pattern has worn away, the shoes will offer little protection, and a loss of cushioning. The sole should feel squashy, but if it is wrinkled and tough it’s time to invest in a new pair.

'Running without trainers is also not a good idea, that’s unless you are Zola Budd!!

'While there is no guarantee that a new pair of trainers will enhance your performance, they can certainly help prevent injury and discomfort. Tips on what to look for when buying your next pair are listed below:

Don't buy trainers that are too small. Your feet expand during exercise, so try them on with a pair of training socks and make sure there is a gap of around half a centimetre between your longest toe and the end of the shoe.
Check the width. Don't try to secure a gaping shoe by tying the laces too tightly. Laces need to be tied firmly but not so tight that circulation is restricted during exercise.
Don't be fooled into thinking that the most expensive shoes on the market are the best. You can pick up a good quality pair of trainers for between £50 - £80.
Visit a reputable running shop. They are more likely to have a treadmill where you can try out different styles. Some even use a force place to create a picture of the pressure points in your foot which may provide useful information.

'The most important thing you should remember is that no one style of shoe will fit everyone's needs. While fashions change and new features come and go, the basic criteria for choosing shoes remains the same - comfort and suitability.

'Physiotherapists not only treat injuries, we can prevent them from occurring in the first place. Investing in expert advice before taking up a new sport is often more cost effective than waiting until an injury has been sustained'.

Daniel Smith. - Daniel has now moved on from the practice and we wish him well. Lewis Manning has taken over at Loughton and the David Lloyd Club.

Articles...

What Are You Wearing?