Shoes can make or break your game and protect you from injury. It can be overwhelming to shop for athletic shoes, especially if there are multiple sports involved.

Cross-training can seem like a great solution. However, athletes shouldn’t be forced to do everything. It is not necessary to buy shoes for a specific sport if you are playing it two or three times per week.

“Generally, you want to go with a sport-specific shoe if you are participating in a sport on a regular basis,”Dr. Jim Christina is the director of scientific affairs at the American Podiatric Medical Association.

What’s the difference between them? The APMA experts give their advice on choosing the right sport-specific shoe for you.

Basketball: The features of basketball shoes can help you avoid injury, whether you are executing a perfect pass or making a high-flying leaping dunk.

* A thick, stiff sole gives support when landing jumps or running.

* The high-top construction provides the strongest support of the shoe. It strengthens the ankle when there are quick changes of direction.

* Basketball shoes should be replaced every two to three months for five-day weeks of play or when the soles become smooth.

Racquetball and tennis: While court shoes for tennis and racquetball look like any other athletic shoe, they’re made specifically for these specific sports.

* A court shoe supports both sides of the foot for quick stops and starts and weight shifts during side-to-side movement.

* The flexible sole enables quick shifts in direction.

* The court shoe absorbs less shock than a running or basketball shoe.

* Court shoes help prevent ankle injuries by providing less traction than running shoes.

Running: The running shoe has the most intricate and personal of all athletic shoes. There are many options because each runner has different needs.

* The running shoe provides maximum shock absorption to prevent ailments like shin splints and knee pain.

* It should control the way your heel strikes the ground so that the rest of your foot falls correctly.

* Know your foot type – high, medium or low arch – so you get the shoe with the best support.

* Shoes should be flexible in the area around the ball of the foot.

Find out more about choosing the right shoe. www.apma.org.