European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 19, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse Feet first by John e. Mcnerney new York times a s a podiatrist the most common question a directed toward me is Quot what is the Best a shoe Quot v the consumer is looking for a shoe with v \ a excellent biomechanics Good Comfort and fit High �.,. Fashion longevity and a competitive Price tag. The expectation is that the shoe will enhance performance propelling its wearer to a higher level of play. A a Quot t am asked to Access a person s foot Type style and. A level of play playing surface fashion taste and Comfort level. I must match these to a shoe that will keep its. Wearer injury free while getting him or her to the Boston Marathon or the United states open for $45 or less. A a formidable task. To t a c the Best Way to achieve this objective is to educate the that he or participate in the selection process. In a 1984 Swiss footwear Survey the a Berne grand Pix study approximately 3,000 runners were asked to rank shoe selection criteria in order of importance. A �.,-�. A orthopaedic ally. Bio mechanically Correct construction headed the list. Following in order were fit and Comfort a Outsole grip durability weight Cost appearance a and endorsements by famous runners. A t . In this article these criteria Are examined with respect a to the newest High tech running Tennis basketball Golf. A and aerobic and Cross training shoes. Quot you a. There Are certain criteria common to most a. Performance shoes. Stability cushioning flexibility and a durability Are opposing technologies a. Highly cushioned shoes tend to be somewhat ,.in stable while flexible shoos tend to faster , dichotomies. There Are certain purchasing tips of use to the informed it a consumer. A y. A Quot stability is tie ability of the shoo to resist excessive Side to Side motion. A shoe is considered stable when it has a non Heel counter Anco reinforced a. Uppers via banding motion control devices Heel. Quot t cradles or stabilizers in the lacing system a stable shoos should be Able to to a. Twist or torque grasp the beef in one hand and the toes in the other and foliate in opposite directions. A a. Y cushioning is the ability of the shoe to Dampen Shock. It is much harder to Access because it is More subjective. A shoe should have a Quot bouncy Quot feel when. On the loot . A a. feel no Shock in the foot or the leg As you jump across a hard floor on one leg try to land on the. Heel and the Ball of the foot on successive jumps to test 1 cushioning in different areas of Tho shoe. Manufacturers would have you believe that. Cushioning with air gel various foams polyurethanes or exotic technological advances like -. Quot Energy return Quot Are important but there is Little research to support their claims. The Swiss report concluded Quot none of the Well known brands shows . As tar As running injuries Are concerned quo shoe flexibility is most critical in forefoot. Place the shoe on a solid surface and lilt the Heel while pressing the forefoot on the sur Taco. The shoe should. Quot break Quot or Bond easily across the toes or forefoot. Compare various brands and models. ,. A Quot. Durability is very difficult to Access in the store. Many. A a manufacturers claim to have Iong lasting outsoles with. Various or compounds Quot Laboratory testing by rubber manufacturers shows that Carbon rubber outsoles Are the most durable but this is another area where the buyer should beware. Experience is the Only True test of the longevity of an Outsole. .�.a what to look for in athletic shoes uppers reinforced in the mid foot area add stability through banding motion control straps and stabilizers in the lacing system. Shoe flexibility is most critical in the forefoot. The shoe should Bend easily across the toes. A non compressible Heel counter and in some models ankle straps provides added stability. Also a higher shoe Cut aids weak Ankles. The Heel Cradle promotes lateral motion control and rear foot stability. Mid sole is most important in providing the cushioning that Dampens Shock to the foot. Outsole is most important for durability. Also flaring of the Outsole on the outer Edge provides stability. Not you can Tost tit and Comfort using a few specific guidelines make sure you thumbnails distance Between the end of your longest toe and Tho end of your shoo about a it to i Inch. The Ball of your foot should. Be at the widest part of the shoe. When tied snugly. Y there should be to shift foot in the shoe when. Walking or stopping Short. A . A a fit the shoe at the end of the Day your foot is most swollen then and. With the sock or foot covering that you use during sports. Remember,.if the shoe is tight in the store it is. Unlikely to stretch out and feet better atcome.-.-. A . A for hard to fit feet some manufacturers offer Width sizing new balance and easy spirit among others. Flat or Low arched feet heed More stability on the medial big toe Border of the shoe while High arched a feet require stability on tie lateral Little toe. Cushioning is important for All foot types but it is essential for High arched feet. Ankle strainers Are better off in High Cut shoes High tops. I or or Cut. This article is aimed at allowing you to select a More suitable Quality shoe for your particular sport. Evaluating shoes is highly subjective the list s below \ a Are not meant to suggest that shoes not listed Are less worthy but rather Are intended to showcase More. Innovative models. A a running running dithers from other sports in that it. Is basically one directional and the foot strikes the ground More proper running Able to a attenuate Shock Over Long distances for Many months. This is primarily the mid sole s Job and it is the most important feature in a top of the line running shoe. Mid sole materials should be. Able to Dampen Shock a thousands of times without showing signs of degradation. The material must be firm enough to Aid in foot and leg stabilization and be soil enough to Dampen Shock. Mid soles should also be lightweight and flexible. A no maternal can possess All of and therefore Soine compromises must be made. Some a shoe manufacturers aim at Superior cushioning some opt for motion control others lighter weight. For most runners shoes that Are a blend of cushioning and y stability Are the Best bet shoes Are required Only for those runners with biomechanical problems such As. A. Over pronation excessive inward Roll of the foot or. Stunners who break Down Heel counters easily. Highly. Cushioned shoes for runners who have a Little to no Normal biomechanics. Width sizing is. A available in new , although a few companies have regular and wide models. For Tow arched feet look for shoes that advertise a probation control High arched feet need shoes fori a. Stability or motion control but cushioning. A , shoes those weighing-1.1 v i ounces or less Are the latest fad but they do. Not Wear Well when subjected to excessive mileage or burlier runners. Although weight reduction is desirable in a. A training shoe Many of the newer lighter weight models do so at the expense of cushioning or stability. -. High mileage runners those with mechanical problems and often injured runners should avoid these shoes Quot except perhaps for competitive acing. A. Shoes should be changed about every three to six. Months for the average runner running 20 Miles per. Week or More regardless of How the Outsole looks. The mid sole loses its ability to attenuate Shock Long before a the Outsole wears out. You should never change a gear unless you Are dissatisfied with your current shoe. Or unless that shoe is unavailable Tennis in choosing a shoe players must first consider their playing style. Shoes for should be stable a from Side to Side and have Good cushioning and. Motion control in the rear foot. A serve and Volley players need shoes with some stability but flexibility and cushioning especially in the forefoot Are essential. All court players need a blend of both a shoe with rear foot and Side to Side stability but with Good flexibility and Overall cushioning. Shoes that Are higher Cut i or Vij Are Good bets for people who sprain Ankles or those with excessive biomechanical problems. Low arched feet need better inside medial support while High arched feet require bolter outside lateral support. A players who choose hard surfaces Concrete Etc should opt for shoes with. A. Long wearing outsoles and Superior cushioning. Grass and Clay or har tru require shoes with softer rubber. Outsoles and More Side to Side stability. A. C / a the latest fad in Tennis gear is the Cross training shoe. Many players pick this shoe for its lighter weight bolder style higher Cut and the ability to Cross Over to y other spoils. While some Cross trainers Are adaptable a. To Tennis serious players should choose from models a. A designed specifically for Tennis. Change shoes every three to Silt months. V v a Cross training and aerobics these . Categories Are grouped together since it is fooling that Many of the shoes produced for a. I to. Y aerobics Are not suitable of that sport. A statistically aerobic dance has one of the highest per. Capita injury rates of any sport. ?. A Quot while there Are Many reasons for this shoe gear is. Cited by Many authorities As a major cause Cross training shoes were originally designed so that the athlete could have one shoe for multiple sports. While. Some Cross trainers can fulfil this role most Are better a suited for indoor use. This category May be better. A a. A suited to aerobic dance than shoes designed for dance. A a the criteria for a Good aerobic dance or Cross a raining similar. They should possess excellent Side to Side stability Good motion control in the rear foot. And lore Cut Superior forefoot flexibility and Good a. A Vefa i cushioning especially in the forefoot. Weight is him Porlant but one should never sacrifice cushioning Lef lightness of styling. Most aerobic dance classes take place on hard a surfaces most clubs convert surfaces to aerobics by placing floors Over poorly cushioned Concrete a. Bases or by carpeting Oyer linoleum Concrete or Wood floors. The shoe must provide for Oncu signing. In tie to lock.,. A. a the shoe design must allow Lor foot stability in Many positions without excessive stiffness for those with Biona Chancial problems shoes with built in motion control devices or higher Cut models Are essential Golf a the fast bastion of traditional shoe gear is slowly. Way to technology. High tech Golf shoes Musta perform totally different functions. The shoe should help the golfer walk the course More comfortably while. Enhancing the player s ability to swing and hit the Basic criteria for a performance Golf shoe Are rear Bot and mid foot stability forefoot flexibility Spike placement. A a. A in the calf swing the Lead foot the foot closest to the. Pin and the Trail toot have totally different demands. A the Lead foot must Roll from its inner big toe Border to. A the far outside Border and support the entire body ,. Weight., a Quot . A. The tra a. Foot must Transfer weigh from the Heel to the a. Inner Border of the big toe. The shoe must enhance these functions. In the Lead foot lateral stability is a Quot must while the Trail foot needs forefoot flexibility. The shoe must also be comfortable for the. Five to. 10 Miles of. Walking n an Active round of Golf. A traditional Golf shoes Are tie oxfords with seven. Spikes Tea v arrangement at the forefoot. New styled. Golf shoes Are designed like Tennis or walking shoes a and often have unconventional for More com fort Able distance walking. It also allows for a greater lateral stability and forefoot flexibility a. be used to Aid in lateral stability by -. A altering their placement. Adidas has a shoe that allows the up Kes arranged differently for different swings. John Mckemey a podiatrist in private practice is. A consultant to the new tfx giants the new Jersey nets and the Pas cock Valley sports Medicine Center in Westwood . Craig d. Half a plastic surgeon works with a computer during rehearsal for Skull reconstruction surgery safer surgery thanks to computer planning not by Elisabeth Rosenthal new York times s Craig d. Hall a contemplated 7-month-old Lillian a Doyle a misshapen Skull As it ,. Rotated slowly on the screen. The physician studied the protruding a Bone on the right Side of the forehead which gave the face a lopsided lilt. He. Pondered a Large Flat Patch at the Back of her head a birth defect normally hidden by a Shock of Strawberry Blond hair. A ,. Sitting in a Crisp suit before the a computer Hall was planning strategy for a. The Complex and Messy operation he would perform the next Day to refashion a. The infant s Skull. Quot in the operating room once i make. Cuts. I have to use them Quot said Hall a plastic surgeon at Montefiore medical. A. Center in new York. Quot but Here i try things and if it does t work i push a Button trash it and Start Over its a great design a. Computer models in three dimensions now allow surgeons to plan and even simulate complicated reconstructive operations of the head leading to Shorter. Safer surgery and dramatically improved results. -. O. A a. A a the eerily lifelike pictures that computers can project let the surgeon peer into the Sruti pinpoint and measure defects and construct models of the of Bone necessary to fill any gaps. On the screen the surgeon can. Even test spare. Parts . A. the past had to be masters of improvisation borrowing. Bits of Bone and cartilage and lib from other parts of the body in the operating room to reshape a Skull or recreate a shattered jaw. A to ranch Anri often mask irregular Bone Ilion never knew the full. Extent of a deformity or How they would Correct it until they Cut through the skin. A the new computer programs have a converted to a. Carefully rehearsed drama Quot a. Quot you get m u c h Bell or r of u ii a us d or. Stove Byrd associate professor of plastic surgery at Sulli Weston medical school in Dallas. Yuyau a Tiow for sure what you Are going to do Down to the. A. Millimetre Quot Quot. M. A a in some cases instruction air. Can tre sent. From the computer directly to a lathe that. A for example fashions a perfectly fitting a plate for a Skull defect . Synthetic piece for a damaged cheekbone ,. A a. Quot Many people Don to have Good enough 3-d perspective to carve freehand in the operating room Quot said or. Elm Zook chief of plastic surgery at the Southern Illinois. School of Medicine in Springfield. -. The technique lets surgeons perform. Operations that would otherwise lie beyond their skill said Zook who has been using a. Simulator for two years ,. /. The computer stacks dozens of horizontal slices from two dimensions Chat scans so As to build up a three. Dimensional bust of the subjects Skull. ,. The image can then be turned and twisted for inspection simply by giving. Commands to the computer. Until now such simulations have usually. Had to be run on huge computers that were prohibitively expensive for most. ,. Operations and awkward for. Surgeons to a manipulate Quot the program made by the medical division of 1-sight. Inc. Of Orangeburg. N is at the leading Edge of a new generation of inexpensive simulators that can be kept on desktops in offices. The software costs$15 000 Quot now its a hassle and that use to the most complicated Zook said noting that the time saved in a surgery was More than offset by the hours spent in the computer la Quot but As programs become Quot easier und going to lie used note and. Roxiline tie . Mayl m avoid cosmetic operations a Quot ,. In Lillian Doyle Scase the thai i aided both in diagnosis and . Doc lors . A. Defects Ollen even with cat scans s air abnormal Lillian a parents t aurence and Gharron. Doyle of Purlin . Had noticed that her forehead looked she was 4months old. A a since Tsiun surgeons at non than Hall a dozen hospitals hid red As. Many a which Bones wore i Quot defective Quot to Kepi a scoreboard at Homo. To . Us dec True whal to do the computer helped resolve the Issue. A Quot Lel s take a halt said to David e a Acker who designed that has a been used with rave reviews at Montefiore. For the last Throo months. Quot ,.acker had considered the idea of a. A. Surgical simulator using cat scan data Tor More than a decade but until. 1989 desktop computers were not. Powerful enough to accomplish the task with a Joystick Hall lops Oft the a lop. Of the head on the screen tilts the Skull. And studies the craggy contours of Boho inside Little Lillian s head second Cut brings into View the. Abnormally Flat quadrant of Lillian s Skull where Hall can immediately see the. Problem to previously Only suspected two the Skull s Bone a -. Prematurely forming a and. A preventing the child s head irom grow Rig m the usual curvature. Quot. A when you three a. In i or i image Quot said or Robert. -. Sep Nemzen. Director of craniofacial surgery at Monr Etiore Quot you see things you could i. Pos Sidiny imagine by looking at 50 cat / scan slices of the head one slice at a time even with gymnastics ii puts a whole new perspective on what s wrong and How to fix it Quot a Page 14 a the stars and stripes tuesday March 19, 1991 the stars and stripes a Page 15
