---- Running Injuries and Biomechanics ----

Other Running Related Topic

16 years ago 03/02/2008 7:26am EST

With biomechanical problems associated with flat feet, are most running injuries caused by active over-pronation or alignment issues with having a foot that is already pronated?

Over-pronation can be stopped with a motion control shoe. A motion control shoe however, does not solve alignment issues. The foot lays flat in the shoe in its pronated state. The shoe just prevents further pronation.

Orthotics however solve alignment issues. They 'prop' the foot back up into a neutral state thereby aligning the achilles, calves, knees, and altering the Q angle all the way up to the hips.

So what's the problem? Active pronation (i.e. the flat foot rolling excessivley inward)or alignment (i.e. the foot lays flat to begin wtih)?

16 years ago 03/02/2008 3:53pm EST

re: Question for the Experts

16 years ago 03/02/2008 4:46pm EST

re: Question for the Experts

my uneducated guess would be the Q angle. i'm pretty sure though that the injuries it would cause would be due to the body's inability to absorb the shock properly and from there i would think that a low arch wouldn't have nearly as big an effect as an increased Q angle would for screwing with your knees.

16 years ago 03/02/2008 6:58pm EST

re: not a kinesthesiologist

I'm not sure I understand what you are saying. I think you are inclined to believe it is being out of alignment and not actively pronating that causes more injuries. Is that correct?

Under that assumption, do you think orthotics would be the best solution, rather than motion control shoes, because they adjust the angles of the lower leg all the way up to the hip? Do you think generally orthotics are more effective than motion control shoes for flat footed runners?

Thanks for the input!

16 years ago 03/02/2008 7:09pm EST

re: Question for the Experts

the "best" solution is neither. it's addressing and correcting the underlying issues. not all issues can be completely corrected, of course, but one can nearly always do something to limit the problems. between the two, orthotics are generally better - in large measure because more customized solutions, which orthotics usually are, are better than shoes that are more of the one-size fits all variety.

16 years ago 03/02/2008 7:33pm EST

re: chuck d

Interesting point of view. I think you're definitely right, customized solutions are better. However, in absence of good medical advice (why else would I be asking on letsrun? haha), and custom orthotics, which would be better, motion control shoes or say superfeet? Thanks again for the input.

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