Any podiatrist or orthopedist can go on and on about the importance of wearing the proper shoes for any activity, and people still don't listen. Look around any park or gym court, and you will see people playing basketball in cross trainers, old shoes or ill-fitting shoes, and they're doing themselves a disservice. Just like the right shoes can improve your performance, the wrong shoes can affect your game, and maybe even take you out of it.
Impact Injuries
Basketball is a high-impact sport, and the players' feet take a pounding. Basketball shoes are designed with this in mind, and provide extra cushioning at the ball of the foot. Power players need maximum cushioning, and may have to sacrifice some lightness to get it. All-around players should aim for moderate cushioning, but speed players should look for a lightweight shoe that may have less cushioning. Without the cushioning your style of play requires, you are vulnerable to stress fractures and joint problems from the impact traveling up your leg. Dr. Michael Lowe, podiatrist for the Utah Jazz, recommends replacing your shoes monthly during the season as the shock-absorbing capabilities diminish.
Instability Injuries
Stability is a huge factor in basketball shoes, as they are designed to support your foot during jumps and fast lateral movement. High-top shoes offer the best ankle support, but you may notice a decrease in speed and shock absorption. Speed players can get away with low-top shoes because they allow for more flexibility, but high supports are a must for power players. Lack of adequate ankle support can allow your ankle to roll in on impact -- even if it doesn't cause immediate injury, it can lead to overuse injuries over time. The shoe must also be securely attached to your foot -- even low-top shoes should have a stiff heel counter to keep you from slipping out and falling.
Performance Issues
Shoes for other sports will affect your basketball game. Cross trainers may be too stiff to allow for agility, and running shoes won't provide the necessary stability. Walking shoes may provide enough cushioning, but may be too heavy and affect your jump. Recreational fashion sneakers generally aren't made to withstand the rigors of basketball, and you may find your foot slipping around inside the shoe, causing you to hesitate and lose some agility.
Blisters/Fungus
Most basketball shoes have soft insoles that prevent friction that causes blisters, but the very shape of the shoe also contributes. Basketball shoe designers understand how the player moves during the game, and they design the shoes to cradle the foot, giving support where it's needed and allowing for room where it's available. Modern basketball shoes have combination leather and synthetic uppers that allow for maximum breathability, which prevents fungal infections that thrive in the closed, sweaty environment of all-leather fashion sneakers.
References
- American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine: Basketball Shoes and Injuries
- Dick's Sporting Goods: How To Buy Basketball Shoes
- Pub Med.gov: The Influence of Basketball Shoes With Increased Ankle Support on Shock Attenuation and Performance in Running and Jumping
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Shoes
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