Running shoes, it is so easy as picking up a pair of shoes, wear it and run. Or is it? Let us take a look at the why choosing the right show might benefit you more than you think.
A current trend for many people is to wear sports shoes as casualwear, instead of sports activity. Of course, some sports wear are designed for specific sporting activity, which help the feet to function in their most effective manner. You need to know what to look for, what to question, how to guide a certain fit to actually fit your foot. When firm footing is required during slow paced walking, or walking over rough terrain, the shoe should have a fairly rigid sole with stiff heel counters and firm toe puffs (spaces). For sporting activities, the foot moves at faster speeds, requiring a more flexible sole design.
Running, Training, and Jogging Footwear would need:
- Comfortable soft midsole with EVA (rubber-like density) material
- To provide control and stability of the heel and cushioning for the plantar surface of the foot to counter the effects of ground reaction force
- To have good traction and stability around shank
- To be lightweight
Get H.O.T when you run
With these criteria in mind, your choice of shoe should be most compatible with your foot shape and functions. Certain running shoes are designed to control overpronation (flat arch) or oversupination (arch too high), but that doesn’t mean those shoes will correct your foot, nor fit your feet well enough. Remember, those are fixed systems. They can’t modify as your feet move within the shoes to cover all the needs of a balanced foot.
For faster-paced activities, the main feature of a footwear is the weight. For example, spiked sports shoes for sprinters and other track activites tend to be extremely lightweight and ultra flexible. The forepart of the outsole contains mild and soft density EVA, providing the potential of maximum performance while sprinting and running. The upperpart of this footwear tends to be made of mesh and microfibre for lightness to allow for evaporation of moisture from the foot.
Foot Posture and Complications
Flat foot
Condition: Both feet flatten down and roll inward during stance, walking and running, causing an increase in pressure loading at the innerside of the foot. This shows as a foot that has too much surface area meeting the ground with each step.
Complication: Plantar fasciitis, morton neuroma , turf toe, callus and corns around pressure points (due to prolonged excessive loading) and more.
High foot
Condition: Both feet roll upward and outward during stance, walking and running, causing a load increase on the outside of the foot. This shows as a foot that has too little surface area contact with the ground on each step.
Complication: Muscle fatigue around shin, frequent ankle sprain, ligament laxity, micro-stress fractures, tendonitis, patella traction, compartment syndrome and more.
Normal foot
Condition: Both feet balance in neutral with forefoot and rearfoot in a parallel position, causing intentional pronation during midstance and toe off with minor compensation to other joints during propulsion phase.Condition: Both feet balance in neutral with forefoot and rearfoot in a parallel position, causing intentional pronation during midstance and toe off with minor compensation to other joints during propulsion phase. Research studies in foot biomechanics conclude that each of stride/gait/walking/running depends on compensation, muscle imbalance, footwear attire and orthotics, age factor, and any medical history, such as hip imbalance, scoliosis, arthritis, gout, diabetes, accidents and surgeries.
Orthotics Fitting Shoes
If you wear proper orthotics (meaning orthotics that have been measured in motion, not just when standing still in one place), the choice of footwear is a major consideration. When opting for orthotic assessment, be sure to consider Dynamic Orthotic Calibration (D.O.C.) to assess the way your foot moves in your shoe when standing still and moving around. No sense in having any ‘orthotics’ that simply measure your feet standing in one place unless you plan for a life of standing still. Consult your podiatrist (foot specialist) on orthotics and footwear options that provide quality support to know how your feet should move in your shoes for quality balance and foot control. Further review of the function, the fit and the shoe design will help you determine which shoes meet the criteria in preventing distortion of both the feet and the orthotics.
Extrinsic Factors: Sports Equipment
The athlete’s shoe can assist in the lower limb injury diagnosis. The most expensive model does not mean it is the best for you. “Motion Contol Systems” or special air or gel pockets designed to aid shock absorbancy are often used in the shoe.
DOES THE SHOE FIT? Grab a pen and find out. Select your favourite shoe and use this simple checklist below to see how well your shoe fits. Does it meet the criteria for your sports activity and your foot?
- Comfortable
- Correct fit in length and width
- Does not show signs of excessive wear
- Provides sufficient shock absorption, especially in the midsole
- Firm fastening
- Lightweight
- Provides appropriate motion control
- Orthotics
So, next time before you get a pair of running shoes, make sure you get one that fits for you. Then again, as complicated as it is, getting the right pair of shoes does help out in the long run.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Bala Gopal specializes in Pediatrics, Biomechanics and Dynamic Orthotic Calibration (D.O.C) with patients’ footwear. He teaches children how to walk correctly to prevent future issues. Jun Morimoto specializes in Diabetic foot care, wound management and common skin problems such as ingrown toenails, corns and callous and fungal infection of the feet. She has extensive experience with geriatric care as well. To find how well you score, bring your feet and your footwear to PODIATRYWORKS for a state-of-the-art podiatric assessment. Let your feet tell their story so you can better understand how you can make a change for the better in your stance, gait, posture, and performance.
– podiatryworks.com.my
