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Kids should have appropriate shoes to protect their feet and support their bodies, especially as they participate in athletic activities such as basketball. A debate has raged for several decades, and seems likely to continue for several more, whether high-top or low-cut sneakers represent the “appropriate shoes.”
Closely associated with basketball, high-top sneakers are much older than many people may realize, originating in the late 1800s. Though the extra material at the top is frequently touted as protection against ankle injury, the original design had nothing to do with safety. It merely mimicked the popular design of men’s ankle boots at the time. Since then, high-top and low-cut sneakers have continued to shift in popularity among professional athletes and the children who try to emulate them. If you’re a parent who’d like to buy puma sneakers for a young athlete, first learn more about the pros and cons of each sneaker style.
High-Top Versus Low-Cut Sneakers for Professionals
An ankle injury can determine the outcome of a single game and, potentially, the course of an athlete’s entire career. Basketball players are especially prone to ankle injuries because of all the running, cutting, pivoting, and jumping they do. The theory behind high-top sneakers is that the extra material around the ankle provides extra support and protection to prevent mechanisms of ankle injury, such as extreme inversion.
However, studies trying to either confirm or deny such claims have thus far been inconclusive. Thus far, it does not appear that the incidence of ankle injuries is any more or less in players who wear high-tops than those who wear low-cut sneakers. Even experts willing to concede that there may be some injury prevention benefit from wearing high-top sneakers theorize that the same benefits could be achieved with ankle bracing or taping. Many basketball-related ankle injuries are due to forces so powerful that no amount of ankle support could counteract them, such as landing on another player’s foot.
Appropriate Footwear for Children
Opinion is sharply divided as to whether children should wear high-top or low-cut sneakers. Some swear emphatically that toddlers cannot learn to walk properly unless they are wearing high-top kids footwear, while others are just as insistent that letting children wear high-tops is the worst thing you can possibly do to them.
As is often the case, the truth seems to lie somewhere in the middle. A toddler who is able to stand up unaided has ankles strong enough to support his or her first steps without the aid of high-tops or any footwear. As for older children, high-tops may provide helpful support while participating in activities but may not be appropriate for everyday wear. The extra support may actually cause the muscles in the ankle to atrophy from not having to work as hard to support the body.
Ultimately, you should ask your child’s doctor whether high-top or low-cut sneakers are more appropriate for your child and let his or her medical advice guide your decision. Whatever determination you make, there are certainly plenty of kids’ sneakers in both styles available from online retailers.
