How to choose a sports shoe

How to choose a sports shoe?
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Generally any shoe or footwear is chosen according to one’s gait pattern and foot type. When it comes to choosing sports shoes, several aspects call for consideration. A few of them are:
1) The type of sport that throws light on the biomechanics involved
2) Gender
3) Physical built-up
4) Gait Pattern
5) Predisposing factors like heart disease or any abnormalities / injuries in foot or in the back
6) Style
7) And of course the price of the shoes!

Cushioning, heel counter rigidity, shoe outsole durability and degree of medial and lateral heel flare are the common and important features for any type of sport shoe. These factors are based on the Biomedical principles involved in the biomechanics of the feet.
Intelligent choice of running shoes is one that suits your foot strike, arch height, foot shape and body weight. Foot strike should be considered watching whether one overpronates or underpronates. Weight is a function that decides the cushioning factor of the shoe. The heavier the person is the more is his cushioning requirement. The correct amount of cushioning and support is determined by the arch height and arch shape, which again depends on the foot shape. Generally four out of five runners overpronate and need a lower arch support. For women running shoes little narrower in heel than one for men. So women should be careful enough to choose the shoes by examining the heel. Sportsmen having physical abnormalities should consult their physicians before choosing the right sports shoe.
Running shoes brands available in market today are Adidas, ASICS, Brooks, Mizuno, New Balance, Nike and Saucony. Different widths covering narrow, regular and wider width are being provided. The prices vary according to brand, style and retailer (country and place).
The above illustrates the shoe choice in outdoor sport like running. While considering indoor sport like tennis there are few different consideration need to keep in mend while choosing the shoe. Some addition features of tennis shoes include additional lateral support for the stability of the foot. This helps to reduce the chances of ankle inversion injuries. The size of toe box and reinforced toe bumpers are the determining factors for the choice of tennis shoe. Tennis shoe should have lower heel height abd less heel flare as it influences the moment arm of subtalar joint and the stability of the rear foot.