Prevention & Recovery
Appropriate footwear can help athletes avoid or mitigate foot injuries. Footwear can also play a major role in rehabilitation and recovery. Credentialed pedorthists play a significant role on an athlete’s health care team because they specialize in shoes and foot orthoses.
Foot injuries can be underdiagnosed or difficult to recognize simply because the foot has so many parts – 26 bones, plus ligaments, joints, tendons and muscles – that can be injured. A credentialed pedorthist, working with a medical practitioner, can be of unique assistance by focusing on the foot, orthosis and shoes as a unit.
Read more on increased risk of injury, shoes as sports equipment,
relieving pressures, and individual help!
Athletes
Our ABC Board Certified Pedorthists and Orthotists perform regular foot function analysis, gait analysis and footwear analysis to optimize the foot performance of athletes at all levels. We specialize in a variety of sports such as running, tennis, dance, basketball, track and field, skiing, cycling, skating, soccer, and golf. We work with the area’s best sports medicine professionals and have a Certified Athletic Trainer on staff, to better understand the problems and challenges of each sport, and find the best course of treatment. Whether we’re working with weekend warriors or Olympic athletes, our experts are committed to the best possible foot orthosis design. Our experiences includes working at the 2004 Athens Olympics, LPGA Golfers, Professional and Olympic athletes.
The Foot Performance Center has the experience and know-how to help you achieve the perfect fit We have over 75 years of combined experience fitting ski boots and providing custom ski orthotics. In fact, we have a long history of fitting and aligning notable local and national ski competitors. We are the only Western New York location with Board Certified Pedorthists, PSIA level ski instructors and race coaches in one store.
Hottronic Boot Warmers
We offer custom boot warmers to keep your feet nice and toasty on the slopes. Our Hottronic Ski Boot Warmers are in stock now and make a big difference when skiing in the cold.
Ski Boot Fitting
Improve your skiing and your comfort with expert evaluation, alignment and balance from our ski boot fitting professionals!
GOLFERS Getting the most out of your golf game starts with a solid foundation. Poor foot function affects your balance, increases your chances for injury and—gulp—hurts your score. Our staff can evaluate your foot function and shoe fit. We can suggest proper shoes and insoles to improve your foot function and stabilize your foundation for a more consistent swing.
Proper Golf Footwear
Golf season is finally here! There is nothing like a beautiful day out on the golf course with your buddies or just by yourself. However, golf is a sport that involves you being on your feet a lot. Therefore, in order to make the most out of your golf game, it is crucial to have the proper footwear that gives you a solid foundation. Poor foot function affects your balance, increases your chances for injury and can even hurt your score!
The Foot Performance Center has staff that are knowledgable on all aspects of golf and will help you find the perfect fit for your golf shoes that will best suit your needs. After evaluating your foot function and shoe fit, we will suggest proper insoles that will improve your foot function and stabilize your foundation for a more consistent swing. Many of our employees play golf and are also certified shoe fitters, so we know what we are talking about.
After visiting our experienced staff, you will find that your balance, swing, and overall golf game will improve tremendously with the proper footwear and support. The Foot Performance Center is your Rochester, NY footwear fitting specialist!
With proper fitting footwear and custom orthotics, you’ll find that you’ll be more balanced on your feet, be less tired, and be able to golf more. We can improve comfort and performance through our expertise on fit and function. Please note, we are not golf shoe retailers.
Golf Swing Improvement
One of the most difficult athletic moves to execute is the golf swing. Balance is crucial. Optimum weight transfer from back to front foot can maximize power and distance, not to mention lower your score! Ground reaction forces should be as high as possible, and a properly designed foot orthosis can help do just that. Newton’s 3rd Law states, “For every action, there is an equal & opposite reaction”. The more force you can generate at the ground, the more torque can be imparted to the ball.
RUNNERS Overuse injuries often arise in runners due to biomechanical imbalances of the foot and lower extremities. Properly designed foot orthoses are a means of aligning an improperly balanced foot by controlling the subtalar joint. Injuries such as plantar fasciitis, shin splints, metatarsalgia and patellofemoral syndrome are all related to poor biomechanics. Our experienced staff can evaluate the runner to determine how to reduce soft tissue overload and pain.
“Enduring High Miles”
Running a Marathon takes commitment on many levels. Long hours of training, mile after mile. Beyond the physical and mental aspect of the sport of running, is finding the right running shoe. For Marathoners this can be crucial. Size and width must be perfect, but so must the design of the running shoe. So what brands and models stack up to the rigorous demands of this brutal sport? At the Foot Performance Center we offer four of the most highly rated:
- New Balance 880 V7
- New Balance 1080 V7
- Brooks Adrenalin GTS I7
- Brooks Ghost 5
Good construction, shock absorbing soles and durability can be found in all of the above shoes.
The Proper Running Shoes
Believe it or not, there is a lot of thought and consideration that goes into finding the perfect running shoe.
The first thing to consider when looking for your new running shoes is to determine your foot shape. There are three general shapes: flat, neutral or high arched feet. There are different models that accommodate the three different shapes. Flat feet tend to fit best in a higher stability shoe because it prevents overpronation. Neutral shaped feet are able to run in a variety of different types but most go for a more moderate stable shoe. Runners that have high arched feet need a cushioned shoe to provide for support and flexibility. Once you figure out your foot shape, it is crucial to try on a variety of options that complement your shape.
Before you go and try on running shoes, it is important you go towards the end of the day. During the day, your feet begin to swell and will be the largest size at the end of the day. This will prevent you from purchasing shoes that are too small. In order to save you time, get your feet properly measured! Keep in mind that runners need a little bit of wiggle room. Typically, you should go a half a size up from your everyday street shoe. Be sure that your heels are secure and you can move your toes around.
Old running shoes are the most common causes for injuries. Depending on the surface you run on, you should replace your running shoe every 300-400 miles, or if you feel discomfort in your joints or muscles. In rochester, NY we have a variety of surfaces to run on, including pavement, dirt trails, and tracks. You can also check your midsoles and outsoles of your shoes. If they are worn and compressed, it is best time for a new pair! Another common reason for injury is running in improper footwear. Choosing a shoe for style may seem like a good idea but if they aren’t compatible with your foot shape, there can be serious consequences. It is best to visit the Foot Performance Center, your local performance footwear store in Rochester to ensure you get the proper shoe for your foot type.
Finding the perfect pair of running shoes isn’t easy. Here at the Foot Performance Center, we have specially trained staff that will assist you in finding the pair best suitable for you and your activity. When you come into our store, we will give your feet a full evaluation to determine the proper shoe or insole that will help you perform at your peak. We are experts on feet and foot function.
Bicycle Riding – Proper Footwear
Poor foot function effects balance and performance, having a proper fit shoe can make a positive impact on comfort, performance and power. At the Foot Performance Center our fitting specialist can evaluate your fit and make a recommendation to improve comfort and performance. Specialized bike shoes for the road or the trail are not like wearing a standard sneaker and should be fit differently for function and performance. These specialized shoes are often made from synthetic materials which are easily modified for comfort. By improving the interface between the foot and shoe we can improve your performance and increase your power.
You can wear any shoe when cycling, If your bike has regular peddles or peddles with toes clips, it would be best to have a stiff soled shoe to transmit power more efficiently and reduce the chance for discomfort. The fit should be snug with no movement to maximize performance, as sloppy or lose fitting shoes in this case will diminish performance and comfort.