Introduction
In basketball, ankle sprain is the most common injury that plagued most athletes. It is only natural for most of them to think that wearing high top shoes provides an additional layer of protection for their ankles. However, this may not be the case; high top shoes may not actually protect athletes from suffering from ankle sprains. To first understand the science behind high and low cut basketball shoes, we have to understand the history behind basketball shoes.
History of basketball shoes
In the 1980s, high cut shoes were the trend in basketball. However, the purpose of designing a high cut shoe was shockingly not related to safety concerns - it was purely because ankle boots were the fashion trend back in those days. Mimicking ankle boots, the company Spalding invented the first high-cut basketball shoe. Popularity of the low-cut basketball shoes remained low, even after Adidas released its low cut basketball shoes known as the Superstar back in 1969. It was not until when Nike collaborated with Los Angeles Lakers’ star player: Kobe Bryant in their Nike Zoom Kobe line, did low-cut shoes get more recognition. Since then, the popularity of low cut shoes have increased massively after more NBA stars like Stephen Curry began wearing them.
Science behind the shoes
Image Credits: Nike
Does wearing high cut shoes actually confer higher protection and prevent ankle injuries? Jay Hertel, a professor from the University of Virginia debunked the myth by saying that there is no evidence that high cut shoes prevent injuries. The reason for this is that ankle injuries are not usually not a result of a bad sprain during the game. The actual reason is due to another player accidentally stepping on the other person’s ankle when passing the ball, defending or blocking. In such a scenario, the force generated on anyone’s ankle is so great that no amount of protection from a high top shoe can prevent it. Further studies on high cut shoes also found no correlation between wearing a high top shoe and ankle injuries. One study even found that wearing a high cut shoe may actually hinder the athletes’ muscle movements when jumping and running around the court, causing more injuries. You may then ask: If high cut shoes do not provide additional protection, then is there any difference from a low cut shoe?
Differences between a low cut and high cut shoe
One prominent difference between a low cut and high cut shoe is its price. In general, a high cut basketball shoe is more expensive which is evident in Nike’s Air Jordans which can easily cost several hundreds of dollars. The difference in price could be attributed to the extra materials used to make an additional layer of protection for high cut shoes. To add on, another prominent difference is agility. A low cut shoe provides much more agility than a high cut shoe which made sense: high cut shoes restrict players’ ankle movement by having an additional layer of material. If you are one of the basketball players that value speed and agility, low cut shoes may be a better fit for you. Furthermore, height plays a small part in choosing the right basketball shoes for players as well. Low cut shoes generally suit shorter players that can maneuver and dodge the opponent with higher speed and agility. In contrast, high cut shoes suit taller players that may require to jump and block opponents during rebounds. This also depends on the type of position you play during basketball. For instance, Wing and Guard players may consider to opt for low cut shoes to help them cut past their enemies faster. Forward and Center players should opt for high cut shoes as these players need not prioritise cutting past enemies. Another difference is the level of comfortability. Low cut shoes are generally lighter in weight and cushioning whereas high cut shoes are usually heavier. High cut shoes are usually more durable than low cut shoes and provide higher stability when playing.
Overall, there will always be a trade-off when purchasing any type of basketball shoe. When you purchase a low cut shoe, you sacrifice stability but earn agility. Factors such as height and position plays a pivotal role in the selection of the best, most comfortable shoe type. Being more informed after reading this article, you already won the first half of the battle by selecting the best type of shoes to enhance your performance in basketball. Wear your shoes and start basketballing with us at Triple Threat!