Overpronation can cause both short and long-term injuries, ranging from the feet to the neck. However, it does not mean that your running is over.
January 29, 2015
Overpronation can cause both short and long-term injuries, ranging from the feet to the neck. However, it does not mean that your running is over.
It's a leading cause of running injuries, defined as the inward roll of the foot that takes place from heel strike to takeoff in a running gait. It's the body's way of absorbing the shock of landing and transferring into the propulsion phase of the running cycle.
Overpronation is characterized by:
To test for flattened arches, stand on light-coloured ground, such as concrete, with wet feet. The prints left should show a marked arch. A gait analysis can also be carried out on a treadmill. Overpronation symptoms may include:
If you suspect overpronation, seek formal diagnosis from a healthcare professional.
The most common footwear solutions are:
In especially severe cases, a combination of shoes and orthotics may be required.
Support shoes are designed for slight to moderate overpronators. These shoes are less flexible than normal running shoes, featuring increased torsional rigidity and more pronounced arches. Their midsoles have been engineered to allow for improved gait.
Motion-control shoes are designed for more severe overpronators. Even less flexible and more torsionally rigid than support shoes, motion-control shoes are specifically designed to control the foot through an improved range of pronation.
Orthotic insoles are available to help prevent overpronation. These can be either bought over the counter or can be tailor-made and come in both full-foot and part-length variations.
Some degree of overpronation is a common problem for runners. However, if you are a sufferer, it is not the end of your running career. At very worst, you may require a specifically designed running shoe fitted with a custom-made, full-length orthotic insole.
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