When most people think about Brampton sports injuries, they’re picturing broken bones and bruised muscles that come from high impact sports and person-to-person contact. The reality is, however, that many sport injuries can come about in much simpler ways—running, for example, can play host to a whole load of injuries that are just as debilitating as being hit by a linebacker!
The thing about running is that so many variables are involved in the process, that it becomes tremendously important to control as many of those variables as possible. Everything from arch support in your feet to the traction you’re getting on the ground need to be considered and if even one thing isn’t accounted for, you could find yourself with anything from a sprained ankle to a torn ACL.
The best way to make sure you stay on your feet and don’t run yourself right into an injury? Finding the right running shoes.
The shoe makes all the difference
What makes one running shoe different from another? By the looks of things, not much—but until you get up close and personal with a shoe, you can’t begin to tell how it’s going to lend itself to your running style. Thankfully, there are a few variables to consider when picking out a running shoe—variables that you can gauge before you even leave the store:
- Fit and feel: How does the shoe feel when it’s on your foot? How about when you take a couple of steps? Does the shoe fit snugly with no shifting or sliding? Finding shoes that fit snugly, yet allow you the cushion and fit to retain comfort are going to be the first sign of shoes that are beneficial to you.
- Traction and grip: When you put on a shoe and slide your foot across the floor, how much resistance are you getting? If you push off, does the ground beneath your feet stay firm or do you feel yourself sliding? Traction can prevent simple injuries like twists and sprains, easily giving you sure footing instead of uncertainty.
- Arch support: There are three main types of running shoes, each with its own style of arch support: flat, neutral and high arch. Depending on the prevalence of your arches, you should absolutely invest in a running shoe that complements these needs, to ensure that your feet—and in turn the rest of your legs and torso—are receiving the support they need with every footfall.
- Material: Generally, a good pair of running shoes will be made of lighter mesh materials, but depending on the terrain you’re looking to run through, this may or may not be what you’re looking for. Be sure to pick shoes that are tough enough to stand up to your running regimen, yet light enough to help avoid bogging you down.
If the shoe fits!
Finding the right running shoe for you all comes down to taking the time to make sure that you’re not just picking up any old pair off the rack and buying them solely based on look. The easiest way to avoid Brampton sports injuries is to equip yourself with effective equipment—running is no exception. Take the time to find a shoe that has all of the right qualities listed above and you’ll find yourself feeling better when you run, not to mention avoiding a laundry list of potential injuries!