Skip to main content

              

Orlando H.Rivera DPM

What to Know About Your Feet When Buying Running Shoes

The most common question that Josh Brimhall owner of Red Rock Running Company in Nevada gets asked is, “How do I know which shoe is best for me?” That involves in-depth knowledge of your foot and a trained eye to determine how your foot moves in relation to your ankle and hips. 

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR FEET

It can be overwhelming to learn there are so many different options when it comes to running shoes, such as neutral, stability, minimal, maximal … the list goes on.

FOOT MOBILITY

The most important thing you can know about your foot is its mobility so you can determine if you need more stability or a more flexible shoe. In order to do this, Tom Labisch, doctor of physical therapy, of InStep Physical Therapy & Running Center in Wisconsin shares the acronym of FAST: foot, arch, symmetry, technique.

“There’s a preconceived notion among shoe shoppers that if your foot looks a certain way — say you have a flat foot — you need a certain type of shoe,” says Brent James, Product Line Manager, Run Footwear at Under Armour. “But foot type and foot shape is only a fraction of the story because a flexible foot or sensitive one requires a different shoe.” When it comes to your foot, examining its mobility is key. The more stable your foot, the more flexible shoe you need.

“A stiff foot will maintain its posture and arch position when challenged with a squat or a twist through the body down to the feet,” explains Labisch. “A foot that is hyper-flexible will collapse extra far when challenged, which ends up driving extra motion further up the lower extremity and can create overloads at the foot, knee and hip.”

ARCH

For the arch, Labisch recommends using a wet footprint on the ground or paper bag to determine if you have a high or low arch. “If your footprint is one big blob it is a low arch; if it is disconnected from front to back it is extra high,” he says. But it would be a mistake to fit by arch type. “The arch height is not that accurate at predicting the foot mobility which is the more important factor in shoe selection. For example, some people with high arches actually have extra-flexible feet.”

SYMMETRY

Symmetry is used to determine if you pronate or supinate, which are terms that explain how your foot hits the ground when it makes contact. Do your feet roll inward or do you land on the outside of your foot? This will determine the type of shoe for you.

“Body symmetry also affects runners. Leg length differences, tightness, weakness, can lead you to create compensations in your stride,” Labisch adds. “If there are differences, or asymmetries, in a runner’s body these compensations often feed into overuse injuries.”

TECHNIQUE

Finally, there is technique, which explains if you are a heel-striker, you land midfoot or you are a forefoot runner. This helps to know what heel-to-toe drop is right for you.

Source: mapmyrun

RIVERA FOOT & ANKLE: At Orlando H.Rivera DPM, our priority is to deliver quality care to informed patients in a comfortable and convenient setting. When you have problems with your feet, you need to turn to a podiatrist who listens and responds… an experienced doctor who knows the field and can effectively diagnose and treat your needs… a friendly physician who counsels you on the best ways to maintain and improve your health. Our physician(s) meet all these criteria. Plus, you benefit from a dedicated team of trained professionals who give you the individualized attention you deserve.

 16 Orlando HRivera DPM

Orlando H.Rivera DPM

Foot and Ankle, Dr. Orlando Rivera, Advanced Foot & Ankle Specialist, Foot and Ankle Podiatry, Houston Foot & Ankle Surgical, Treatment of Foot and Ankle, Foot & ankle specialists, Podiatrist in houston, podiatrist in houston, Orlando H.Rivera DPM, Houston Foot Doctor, Foot and Ankle Surgeon Houston, Ankle and Foot Specialist Houston, Podiatrist Houston, Foot Pain Houston.

 

 

CONTACT US

Invalid Input

Invalid Input

Invalid Input

DISCLAIMER 
Copyright © All Rights Reserved. Rivera Foot & Ankle
Web page by LaraNet | Expand Your Business!