The shoes you wear when exercising have a direct effect on the health of your foot. Shoes that fail to support the foot properly and absorb the shock created when the shoe strikes the ground can increase your risk of developing injuries or unhealthy tendencies. Some tendencies also develop independently of the shoe and require specialized footwear to be properly treated and corrected. A supinated foot can have bad consequences if left untreated, but there is footwear designed to compensate for this irregularity.
Stride Problems
Supination, also called underpronation, occurs when the foot lands first with the inside of the foot and rolls toward the outside of the foot. This is a fairly rare foot problem among athletes, but it creates excessive stress on the foot and the rest of the lower body. Runners who supinate need well-cushioned shoes to reduce the wear and tear being placed on the body. Corrective shoes must also counteract the foot's rolling and help the foot land evenly on the ground.
Shoe Last
Corrective shoes can be worn during exercise, but they can also help you correct your supination throughout all your steps in a day. One of the key features for shoes correcting supination is the last of the shoe. The last of a shoe is the general shape of a shoe as well as the type of mold it is constructed around. The curved last contours best for supinators because it provides rigid support to the foot's high arches, which are typical in persons with supination. The shape of the shoe also promotes an inward motion of the foot, which counteracts the outward roll of supination.
Shoe Type
Supinators get the best tennis shoe support from a cushioning shoe. This type of shoe increases the amount of shock absorption the shoe is capable of, and it provides arch support to the inside of your foot. They are also useful for off-road running, whether you suffer from supination or not.
Considerations
Before purchasing a completely new pair of shoes to correct your supination, visit a foot specialist or try out an insole to see if your step irregularity can be corrected. Insoles are a much cheaper alternative to buying a new pair of shoes. Different types are available, but some feature heat molding that allows the insole to conform to your foot over time, making it more comfortable. In some cases an insole may not work, but in others it could save you money and achieve the same effect.
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