Sport-specific shoes can really affect the way your child plays and enjoys their sport. If your child participates in a certain sport regularly, at least two to three times a week, they should wear a sport-specific shoe.

Purchasing a shoe designed for the exact sport not only improves performance on the court or field, but also helps prevent serious foot and ankle injuries. The shoe will fit properly and adjust for the movements the feet are expected to perform as part of the sport. Avoid some serious pain and raise your game by checking out the best shoes for several sports below:

Basketball Common foot injuries:

Sprains, tendinitis and stress fractures.

The perfect basketball shoe should have a thick, stiff sole that gives support while running and landing jumps. Have high ankle construction that supports the ankle during quick changes in direction. The shoe should fit properly and be laced up completely when they are worn to provide the support and protect the ankle.

Soccer Common foot injuries:

Ankle sprains, turf toe and ingrown toenails.

The perfect soccer cleat should not have more than a half-inch of space between the big toe and the end of the shoe. Feature the stud type for the surface that will be played on most often — soft, hard, or firm, artificial or natural. The shoe should fit properly have a laced or velcro closure for good, secure contact.

Football and lacrosse Common foot injuries:

Turf toe and Achilles tendinitis.

The perfect football cleat should have a good amount of high ankle support. This is especially important for linemen and other players who make frequent sideways movements during play. Allow for proper traction on a grassy field, in both wet and dry conditions. This will largely help to prevent injury.

Running Common foot injuries:

Plantar fasciitis, shin splints and Morton’s neuroma.

The perfect running shoe should provide maximum shock absorption, to help runners avoid ailments. Match the foot’s arch type (high, medium, low). Purchase the correct size by fitting them in the store. Change shoes regularly based on the amount of miles run per week.

Dancing Common foot injuries:

The majority of dance injuries occur from overuse of the foot, and repeated pounding from dancing too much or for too long. Injuries may include dancer's fracture or fifth metatarsal fracture, lateral ankle sprain, stress fractures, trigger toe or tenosynovitis, sesamoiditis, plantar fasciitis and achilles tendonitis. Years of dancing can also worsen foot deformities such as Hallux Rigidus and bunions (Hallux Valgus).

The perfect dance shoes: are based on the type of dancing being done. If doing, for example, ballet, jazz, salsa, etc. special shoes specific for this type of dance are required. On the other hand for doing aerobics, zumba or pilates for example, regular running or walking tennis shoes may be appropriate. Regardless of the type of shoes, they should fit well especially in the arch and the toes.

Baseball/softball Common foot injuries:

Ankle sprains, turf toe, ingrown toenails.

The perfect baseball/softball shoe should: have cleats that provide a solid footing while playing. There are many forms of baseball/softball cleats out there, but shoes should be selected for comfort and support rather than style and fashion. Baseball cleats are designed for improved safety, comfort and performance while playing on different surfaces including grass, dirt and artificial turf. Cleats should fit properly and there should be no more than a half-inch of space between the big toe and the end of the shoe. Cleats should be laced up to control motion and ensure safe play with sufficient ankle support while running, stopping and sliding into home plate.

When playing sports it is best for your child to wear shoes for that specific sport. Make sure to have their feet professionally measured by a podiatrist to find the correct size shoe. If your child sustains an injury or develops pain while playing sports, take them to a podiatrist.

• For more information email foothealth242@gmail.com or visit www.apma.org. To see a podiatrist visit Bahamas Foot Centre on Rosetta Street, telephone 325-2996 or Bahamas Surgical Associates Centre, Albury Lane, telephone 394-5820, or Lucayan Medical Centre on East Sunrise Highway, Freeport Grand Bahama, telephone 373-7400.