WHY ARE ATHLETIC SHOES SO IMPORTANT TO WEAR DURING P.E.?

www.texastribune.org, By: Julie Chang

Proper footwear is essential for physical activity.  Sometimes children’s footwear is chosen based upon what is aesthetically pleasing rather than what is best for safety and efficient movement.  Style is often the major reason a particular pair of shoes is purchased (French, Kinnison, & Silliman-French, 2009). 

Shoes are simply designed to protect the foot against harmful surfaces and injury.  When selecting footwear for physical activity, consider the basic parts of the shoe: the sole, uppers, heel counter, mid-sole, and toe box. The sole, for example, provides stability and the base of support. It should be flexible and provide a cushion for the foot.  A higher sole decreases stability and increases the probability of injury through turning of the ankle.

The upper materials should cover the entire foot. The heel counter, the back area of the shoe, should lock around the foot to cushion and support the heel. The heel counter, width of the base of the shoe, and height of the sole are related to the stability given to the foot. The firm heel counter controls motion or movement. A proper fitting sneakers should be firm to support the heel and Achilles tendon.

The toe box is the front tip of the shoe that protects and provides an area so that the toes do not become too crowded. The width and height should permit full motion of the toes including flexion, extension, and some spreading. In some sneakers the toe box is stiff or semi-hard to protect the toes from undue weight that may cause injury.

Physical education classes incorporate a large number of activities with forward and lateral movements.  Here, an all purpose or cross trainer type sneaker is best (Corbin et al, 2003).  The essential characteristics of the all purpose sneaker include:

• Support – The heel counter and the heel stabilizer provide stability and control foot movement.  The heel protects the Achilles tendon from trauma.  Sufficient width is the heel provides stability and protects against ankle turns.
• Cushioning – Sneakers should have adequate cushioning in the heel and mid-sole.
• Performance – A lightweight sneaker requires less energy output over long periods of physical activity.  Good traction is also important.  The sneaker’s material should “breathe”. This means material such as nylon mesh promotes perspiration evaporation and decreases shoe weight gain.
• https://sites.google.com/site/cedarschoolpe/sneakers