Sports Activities and Foot Injuries
Due to fast, repetitive movements, constrictive footwear, and the ever-present potential for injury or trauma while playing, sports can be harsh on our feet. Below is a brief overview of some typical injuries that happen often in certain sports.
Martial Arts and Kick Boxing
Typical injuries sustained while participating in martial arts and kick boxing include plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, sesamoiditis, and ankle sprains. To help prevent injury, stretch a minimum of fifteen minutes before kicking or punching.
Aerobics
Aerobic impact forces can reach up to six times the force of gravity. All of that force is transmitted to each of the 26 bones in the foot, so appropriate shoes are critical to keep your feet safe and healthy during aerobic exercise. Shoes should give the feet adequate cushioning and enough shock absorption to make up for the pressure put on the foot. The pressure is much greater than the pressure that is put on your feet while just walking. The shoes also need to have good medial-lateral stability.
Team Sports
Sports such as football, baseball, basketball, soccer, field hockey, and lacrosse often result in ankle injuries due to the atheltes playing on artificial surfaces, wearing improper footwear, and/or doing inadequate amount of stretching before playing.
