Do’s and Don’ts for Fall Sports Start Up

At Goldsmith Podiatry, we know it may be hard to think about fall sports in the middle of late-summer heat waves, but many of our Manhattan families are already gearing up for pre-season practices. If your child or teen is one of them, you’ll want them to enjoy their sport safely. Below are some do’s and don’ts to help avoid sports injuries and protect your child’s feet and ankles.

DO: Start with a checkup by one of our podiatrists, Dr. Howard Goldsmith and Dr. Rosanna Troia, especially if your child suffers from a chronic condition like flat feet or Sever’s or if they sustained a foot or ankle injury in the last year. The foot doctor will want to monitor the condition of your child’s feet and may make recommendations about shoes or activities to protect a vulnerable area.

DON’T: Go from zero to full speed without some conditioning. Unfortunately, many activities young people enjoy involving more movement from their thumbs and fingers than the rest of their bodies, and the pandemic hasn’t helped. If your child has been sedentary this summer, make sure they increase their physical activity in the weeks leading up to the fall sports season. Encourage active pursuits such as biking, running, and swimming.

DO: Wear the correct footwear. It’s always a good idea to check on the condition of your equipment at the start of a new season, and for us, there’s no more important equipment than your athletic shoes. For serious athletes, get shoes designed specifically for the sport they are playing. Don’t use hand-me-downs as they will not likely be comfortable and can transmit fungal infections. Get your child fitted by a sports shoe professional.

DON’T: Workout with stretching. Muscles, tendons, and ligaments enable bones and joints to do their job with less chance of injury if they are warmed up and stretched. Your child may want to ask their coach for some stretches appropriate for their sport to start on.

DO: Choose a program that stresses technique. Learning the right way to move and having proper form will improve performance and reduce the sports injury risk.

DO: Contact our Upper West Side office at 212-877-1002 if you have additional questions about sports and your child’s podiatric health.