Looking Ahead to Fall Activities
If the dog day heat of summer has you dreaming of cooler fall-weather activities, we at NY Foot Health hear you! Fall has a lot to offer, and now is the right time to start planning ahead if you enjoy autumn activities. Proper conditioning and, of course, the right shoes are essential for protecting your feet while you’re having fun. Below are some popular fall activities and what you need to know about them.
Football, Soccer, and other Field Sports—young athletes and adults look forward to fall because it means the start of many sports played on a field. Whether you’re on natural grass or Astro-turf, here are some tips to consider:
Start the new season with new sports shoes. While some sports players favor tighter shoes for better control on the field, footwear that crowds toes can increase the risk of injury and ingrown toenails. Children will most definitely have outgrown last season’s athletic footwear. Even adults should check their shoes and sneakers to ensure there are no tears or other damages and that shoes are not showing wear on the sole or the insoles. Get feet professionally measured.
Get old sprains and foot injuries checked out. Make an appointment with the podiatrist for a foot and ankle checkup and to revisit any previous podiatric injuries. The foot doctor may have recommendations regarding footwear and exercises to prevent re-injury. If you don’t have a podiatrist, use our online directory to find one close by.
Beware of common foot and ankle injury risks. Both football and soccer usually require players to wear cleats. Too much time spent in this specialty sports shoe can aggravate the growth plate at the back of the heel, causing Sever’s disease. Field sports also see a high rate of ankle sprains. Don’t wait to get injuries evaluated by the foot doctor, and never encourage anyone to “play through the pain.”
Check field conditions. Be sure someone oversees checking and maintaining the playing field or do a walkover yourself. Check for divots, holes, dips, or rocks that may cause a trip or ankle-twisting injury.
Hiking— for those who find their fall fun off the field, hiking is a great physical activity that allows participants to take in scenic vistas made especially spectacular by fall foliage. However, please don’t hit the trails before examining your hiking boots to ensure they are still in good shape. Choose trails suited to your current fitness level in length and degree of difficulty. If you aspire to more challenging trails, be sure to condition and train to build stamina and reduce the risk of injury.
Contact us to learn more about protecting your feet during sports and other physical activities, and consider subscribing to our free e-newsletter.