Everyone's feet are different; some have flat feet, some have high arches, some walk on the outside of their feet and others, the inside. Just as feet are not all the same, neither are jogging shoes. Jogging can be tough on the body and cause injuries which can result in knee pain. Jogging in the correct sneakers can help prevent or ease that pain.
The Foot
"During a 10-mile run, the feet make 15,000 strikes, at a force of three to four times the body's weight," according to the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine website. Feet are one of the most important parts of the body; without them we would not be able to stand, let alone be in motion. Each foot has 26 bones but feet can be different sizes, with different widths and arch heights. "The balance, support, and propulsion of a jogger's body all depend on the foot," according to the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine website.
Jogging Shoes
Athletic shoes come in a variety of fits and designs. Shoes take into account the foot structure and function, body weight, activity and even ground environment. As stated by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website, "These differences have been developed to protect the areas of the feet that encounter the most stress in a particular athletic activity." A good jogging shoe has shock absorption, flexibility and stability.
Overpronation
According to the Big Knee Pain website, "overpronation is an excessive inward roll of the foot," causing "excessive internal rotation of the lower leg and knee," affecting "the alignment of the entire lower body." The resulting strain can cause foot and knee pain. With overpronation, there is excessive wear on the inner sides of the shoes. Shoes to combat this problem should have stability in the arch, motion control and firm heel support.
Underpronation
Underpronation causes the foot to inadequately absorb shock. Flexible shoes that are curved help to correct this. The Big Knee Pain website states that "the impact of the feet hitting the ground is transmitted up through the knees, legs, and lower back." An adequate amount of cushioning absorbs the shock of jogging, especially on hard surfaces and helps to prevent knee pain.
Runner's Knee
Runner's knee is a common pain complaint of joggers. The pain is located behind or around the kneecap. Poor kneecap tracking is thought to be the cause, from muscle imbalance, weakness, inflexibility or misaligned joints. Proper jogging shoes can help alleviate the symptoms of runner's knee. Arch support shoe inserts can help stabilize the knee.
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