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.
Pop in to make an appointment or phone or e-mail:
Tel: 020 8508 9100, email: loughton@elaineatkins.com
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