Kickoff the Spring Sports Season With the Right Shoe

As spring approaches, so do spring sports. Sports participants should keep in mind that specialized sports call for specialized shoes. Each type of shoe is constructed to improve performance and reduce sports-related injuries of the feet, ankles, shins, knees and back.

ATLANTA (March 11, 2002) -- 'Tis the season to restring the racket and oil the mitt. As spring approaches, so do spring sports. Schedules fill with soccer games and tennis matches for adults

and children alike.

Sports participants should keep in mind that specialized sports call for specialized shoes, according to Jerry Slover, Director of Training for The Athletes Foot. Each type of shoe is constructed to improve performance and reduce sports-related injuries of the feet, ankles, shins, knees and back. When choosing a shoe for your sport, consider the following:

·Soccer -- Because soccer field conditions vary, soccer players should own at least two pairs of cleats. Detachable cleats work best for muddy grounds, while molded cleats are better for hard surfaces. Soccer players tend to wear their shoes too small, which can distort toes and aggravate bunions. Make sure and have your foot measured to ensure a good fit.

·Tennis -- Tennis players tend to look for outsole durability in their shoes. Luckily, manufacturers have added durability to outsoles while reducing the overall weight of tennis shoes. If you have ankle instability, try a midcut shoe for more support.

·Baseball -- Historically, baseball players wear metal cleats. However, for harder playing surfaces, molded rubber cleats have outsoles that complement a players traction needs.

·Basketball -- Basketball is now a year-round sport. Whether youre a recreational or serious player, choose the right shoe to avoid injury. Although a lighter shoe is a benefit when running up and down the court, it is not the only factor to consider. You may need added support features if you are a bigger person or are prone to ankle injury. Manufacturers now provide a variety of shoes from lightweight to those with extra support and added cushioning.

·Running -- If you are a runner, it is important to pay particular attention to how your foot strikes the ground. If your foot rolls in excessively, compensate by choosing shoes with motion control. If your foot rolls out excessively, choose shoes with added cushioning.

·Walking -- Walkers also have a wide variety of shoes for different foot types. Walking shoes should have good cushioning and an ample toe box, so your toes can spread out as you push off in your stride. To avoid tripping, choose shoes with a relatively smooth bottom, as opposed to the more aggressive sole of a running shoe.

As the worlds expert on athletic footwear, The Athletes Foot is dedicated to ensuring every customer -- from children on the playground to professional athletes -- is fitted with the right shoe for their foot type and activity. Finding the proper fit is the focus of the new FitPrint System, a high-tech pressure-point device that measures and identifies pressure points in the foot through different phases of a customers gait. The reading, which is free to customers, allows The Athletes Foot certified fit technicians to effectively find the right fit for a customer based on their footwear needs.

Atlanta-based The Athletes Foot Group, Inc. is a privately owned international athletic footwear retailer operating more than 800 corporate and franchise stores in 50--plus countries. The company has been named Trendsetter of the Year" by the sporting goods industry, Success magazines number one franchise opportunity and Entrepreneur International magazines eighth largest global retail franchisor. For more information about choosing athletic shoes, visit www.theathletesfoot.com.

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