Sport, Growing Feet and School Kids: How to Support Healthy Development
Sport plays a vital role in childhood development. Running, jumping and playing sport help build strength, coordination and confidence — all of which are essential for growing bodies. However, because children’s feet are still developing, high activity levels can sometimes place extra stress on the lower limbs.
At SA Running Injury Clinic, we support active school-aged children by helping their feet develop properly, stay comfortable and remain injury-free — especially during key growth phases.
Why Sport Is So Important for Growing Feet
Children’s feet are not miniature versions of adult feet. They contain growth plates, softer bones and developing muscles that adapt to load over time. Sport helps by:
Strengthening foot and leg muscles
Improving balance and coordination
Encouraging healthy bone development
Supporting natural arch formation
Regular movement is essential — and in most cases, sport is incredibly beneficial for foot health.
When Sport Can Place Extra Stress on Growing Feet
While sport is positive, rapid growth combined with repetitive activity can sometimes overload developing structures. This is particularly common during growth spurts, when bones grow faster than muscles and tendons can adapt.
Common sport-related complaints in children include:
Heel pain (including Sever’s disease)
Arch or midfoot fatigue
Knee or shin discomfort
Achilles tightness
Foot pain after training or matches
These issues don’t mean sport is harmful — they usually signal that support or load management is needed.
The Role of Foot Mechanics in Active Children
How a child’s foot moves affects the entire lower limb. Excessive pronation, flat feet or poor shock absorption can increase stress on growing joints when running or jumping.
When left unaddressed, poor mechanics may contribute to recurring pain or limit a child’s ability to enjoy sport comfortably.
How Custom Orthotics Can Help Active School Kids
Not every child needs orthotics. However, for some active children, custom orthotics can provide valuable support — especially during periods of high training load or rapid growth.
At SA Running Injury Clinic, we prescribe orthotics for children only when clinically appropriate. When used correctly, orthotics can help by:
Supporting the arch and improving foot alignment
Reducing excessive stress through the heel and lower limb
Improving shock absorption during running and jumping
Enhancing comfort in school and sports shoes
Allowing children to stay active while symptoms settle
Orthotics are always used as part of a broader plan, not as a standalone solution.
Why Early Assessment Matters
Children don’t always describe pain clearly. Limping, avoiding sport or complaining of “tired legs” can be early warning signs. Early assessment allows us to:
Identify biomechanical contributors
Review footwear for school and sport
Provide activity modification if needed
Introduce orthotics only when beneficial
Addressing issues early often prevents minor problems from becoming ongoing injuries.
Our Approach at SA Running Injury Clinic
We take a child-focused, evidence-based approach that prioritises movement and healthy development. Our assessments include:
- Gait and running analysis
- Foot posture and pressure assessment
- Footwear and sports load review
- Custom orthotics, including 3D-printed and Voxelcare in-house orthotics, when clinically indicated
- Movement advice, stretching guidance and activity modification appropriate for growing bodies
Our goal is to keep kids active, confident and pain-free — not to restrict their participation in sport.
Supporting Sport Without Over-Treating
Importantly, many children simply need reassurance, footwear advice or short-term support. Orthotics are not about correcting “normal” feet — they’re about supporting children who are experiencing pain, repeated injury or difficulty keeping up with sport.
Final Thought
Sport is one of the best things for children’s physical and emotional development. With the right support — including appropriate footwear and, when needed, custom orthotics — growing feet can thrive under load.
At SA Running Injury Clinic, we help school-aged children stay active, move well and enjoy sport throughout every stage of growth.
