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| Sunday, 16 October 2005 |
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Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Select the right footwear
Once we start school, we engage in children's sports such as baseball, basketball, or football. The starting age for training in individual sports such as swimming, skating, track, and gymnastics gets lower every year. Our parents encourage us to participate in sports, but we should never forget that competition should be fun. Too much emphasis on winning can alienate a child from athletic competitions.
Every child physically matures at his or her own rate, and has a different degree of athletic ability. No amount of training can improve a child's natural athletic ability, but training helps improve coordination, and therefore performance. Early training should emphasise proper technique and basic movement skills in all sports, especially in children younger than 10. Experts say that children who concentrate on a single sport at a young age are more likely to develop injuries of the foot and ankle. They advise to save specialisation in sports for the late teens. Warming up before participating in sports is more important for adults than children, but it helps loosen the muscles and prevent injuries in athletes of all ages.
Today an important fact is that a child's image revolves around footwear. Expensive sneakers have become fashion statements as much as athletic equipment. But for good foot health, the condition of the shoe is more important than the price tag or brand name. Physicians agree it's often better to buy a child two cheap pairs of shoes than a single expensive pair, so the shoes can be rotated, to avoid rapid wear deterioration. Excessive wearing of the outsole, loss of shoe counter support, or wearing out in the mid-sole indicate it's time to replace the shoes. Because a child's feet are constantly growing, it is important to allow at least one finger's width from the end of the longest toe when buying shoes. Remember, proper fit is very important. You can have the best shoe in the world, but if it doesn't fit right, it doesn't do its job. In the shoe store, children should put on both shoes, with their athletic socks and the laces tied tight, for several minutes to properly check the shoes' fit. Shop for shoes in the afternoon, when the feet are naturally slightly swollen. In young children, an "all purpose" sports shoe works well for most sports. A running-specific shoe is not suitable as an all purpose shoe; moving laterally (sideways) in a running shoe is more difficult and presents greater risk of injury for children. After the age of 10, sport-specific shoes can help improve performance and protect the feet. With the exception of the running shoe, a degree of crossover between sporting shoes is usually not harmful to the feet of a child athlete. Rubber cleats (wedges) are not usually necessary for children under 10, though they pose little harm for them. They are most useful on a soft-field sport such as soccer. Physicians recommend moulded shoe rubber cleats rather than the screw-on variety. Metal spikes can be dangerous and should not be used until the teenage years. *** Tips * Don't forget to stretch and warm up before exercise. * Don't run for exercise in court shoes. * Check the fit of shoes frequently and be sure to replace sports shoes often. *** |
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| Politics | Produced by Lake House |
From the day we start to walk, we are chasing balls, throwing or
swinging sticks, and running races against nobody in particular. This is
how our liking for sports begins. 
Children active in sports programmes are physically strong and their
systems, coordination, and state of mind are better. Participation in
sports develops a sense of self discipline, team work, and recognition of
the importance of a healthy body - good habits that last a lifetime. 
Light jogging and smooth stretching exercises (be sure not to bounce
when stretching) are all that's necessary for young athletes. Learning to
stretch at an early age will set a good pattern for sports activities as
the body develops. 
