Mobility Minute: Know Your Feet

Unless you are balanced, your foot type will affect how you run.

When running, you need a stable base to both propel yourself forward and to avoid tipping over. Like roots on a tree, a strong base will prevent you from falling over as you make turns. Without training, your foot arch will carry an undue influence on running. Look at a mirror and see where your feet fall.

Like roots on a tree, a strong base will prevent you from falling over as you make turns. Without training, your foot arch will carry an undue influence on running. Look at a mirror and see where your feet fall.

With a Pronated foot, extended running will cause your feet to bow inwardly while your knees shift outward.

A Supinated arch will have their running feet bow outwards, while your needs shift inward.

Both these situations will increase the strain and even the pain on your legs during running. Dr. Roland Alley of Moriarty PT recommends a neutral foot stance, which is actually different for every person.

Taking a high speed gif of the US Olympic team,

You can see how the feet land neutral. With neutral steps, you can take longer strides. With longer strides you can sprint faster. Neutral feet also impacts how your knees take pressure. Have you ever felt that your legs were transferring all their impact to your back when running? This may be due to your knees and feet being uncoordinated.  Having a neutral foot causes you to have neutral knees. Neutral feet and knees will simply allow you to guide yourself in the right direction in the straightest way possible. Accuracy when running is essential to winning a race, and is a function of balance and strength.

It is easier done at the start of a run, but keeping a neutral foot position should be practiced on the track. Running on a treadmill does not acclimatize your feet or knees to the stresses of ground when running. That is why track and field requires an open space and a lot of room. A trainer like Dr. Alley can observe and diagnose feet and knee issues in runners.

At Moriarty PT, you can improve all aspects of running with professional equipment and world class support. Visit our website at www.moriartypt.com or call us at 845.454.4137. Owned by doctors and run by doctors, Moriarty Physical Therapy has been Dutchess County’s leader in physical therapy and sports rehabilitation for over 40 years with offices in Poughkeepsie, NY and a brand new office in Lagrange, NY.