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For healthy feet… step out in a good pair of town shoes!
[mis à jour le 30 September 2009 à 11h48]
Chiropodists are clear about this: trainers are for sport and sport only! And it is a message we need to get across to our children and especially to the teenagers in our family. So let’s remind ourselves what we should be looking for in a new pair of shoes: ie a sensible combination of comfort and support. Both are qualities that can be found in many different types of town shoes.
Philippe Saillant, a foot specialist and member of the French Union for Foot Health sets out three main criteria to look for when choosing shoes:
Stiffening at the back of the shoe to ensure good support for the heel;
Laces or Velcro fastenings to hold the instep but without pinching the toes;
A slightly raised heel (2-3 cm maximum) to give greater flexibility when walking and help to keep the feet in good shape;
Sports shoes may be fashionable but … they should be kept exclusively for sport. Wearing them every day causes the feet to overheat, leading to excessive perspiration and, in the long term, the risk of fungal infections, Philippe Saillant continues. Not forgetting that many trainers do not sufficiently support the sole of the foot.
If your child or teenager insists on wearing trainers, get them to alternate between trainers and town shoes. Wear and tear is a very good indicator of foot instability: with no static balance problem, normal wear is found on the outer back edge of the shoe.
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