Low tops vs high tops

Q. · 08-24-2006, 08:46 PM

My basketball shoes finally crapped out and I've got Senior Olympics coming up in less than a month. One of my teammates told me that recent studies have shown that there is no ankle protection from high top shoes. I need to buy new shoes. I'm not all that swayed by his statement but has anybody heard such a thing? Either they provide ankle support or they don't but, if they do, then that's a good thing in my book.

Keith Scott · 08-25-2006, 02:26 PM

In short, NO, they dont really give you support. If you are after artificial support, you are better off getting ankle braces or having them taped. I did read some research years ago about the effects of using high tops in this regard and they found that they really dont give any real support.
If anything it would have minimal proprioceptive value, but not enough to do much.

Get what is supportive of your feet and use braces for the support.

Still, Better than anything, get your ankles strong

Bill2380 · 08-25-2006, 07:16 PM

I haven't found anything that actually comes high enough on the ankle to provide support. I used to have some high top leather Cons which had a plastic strip which ran from the rear of the sole to the topmost lace. They could actually stop your ankle from turning. I'm thinking of starting a company making basketball shoes for old guys, nothing flashy, less than $75.00, good support and only two colors, black and white. I'll put you on the mailing list when I get it going.

Q. · 08-26-2006, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill2380

I haven't found anything that actually comes high enough on the ankle to provide support. I used to have some high top leather Cons which had a plastic strip which ran from the rear of the sole to the topmost lace. They could actually stop your ankle from turning. I'm thinking of starting a company making basketball shoes for old guys, nothing flashy, less than $75.00, good support and only two colors, black and white. I'll put you on the mailing list when I get it going.

Although I said it last year, this may be the last time I play!

Nevertheless, Bill, I want to be on your list!

I used to even wear Aircasts on both ankles and may go back to them.

http://www.aircast.com/products/

I also have ones Bill recommended that I've been wearing that seem pretty good but I don't know which is best. The Aircasts are pretty old so the padding may not be as comfortable anymore.

As to "get your ankles strong," I don't think the one I'm mostly concerned about has healed from LAST year about this time when I rolled it practicing for these same games. I was schooling this young dude (that's my story and I'm sticking to it!) and it rolled pretty bad. I had a LOT of tape on it during the games just to get through them but haven't played on it since.

I think that after about 40+ years of playing basketball, there's got to just be a limit to how strong I can actually get them now. That's a lot of sprains over the years with mostly just rest and ice as treatments.

Lost Dog · 08-26-2006, 01:44 PM

I think it was Eric Cressey, but I'm not sure. Seems like one of the fitcasts had a part about how there's too much ankle taping in basketball (or was it just sports?). That it ends up causing more problems that it helps. Particularly recurring ankle injuries.

Might PM EC or something, I don't know that he reads threads down here.

Ogedei · 08-26-2006, 05:53 PM

Would make sense. Same idea as lifting belts. Putting a bandaid over a problem than can be addressed in a better way.

Q. · 08-26-2006, 09:11 PM

It might make sense under certain circumstances but I'm not risking turning my ankle again in the next few times that I play... period. I don't disagree that taping all the time as a preventative measure would likely weaken the ankle but that's not my situation. I'm just trying to avoid exacerbating (couldn't think of a more appropriate word) an existing injury and I don't have time to let it heal completely so I'm just trying to support and protect it for a short period of time.

I've never used a lifting belt because I just work within the range that my body will handle. I can control how much weight I'm lifting. I don't have that luxury with my ankles. It's either all my body weight or I'm not there. I also don't have control over whose foot is under mine when I step or come down after jumping. I work my ankles without tape or support quite a bit when I'm working out but I'm not going to play without support. It also gives me more confidence in my stability that I wouldn't have otherwise.

I understand the point but I don't think that it would apply under all circumstances.

Keith Scott · 08-26-2006, 11:05 PM

Strong ankles are the answer all of the time. Tape and braces should only be used if ankles are weak and only for a short period of time, in my opinion. I think too much tape is used sometimes.

You should always strive to strengthen the muscles around the ankle joint first and last. Tape is in between only.