Do You Really Need Special Shoes for Overpronation?

Overpronation is one of the most commonly spoken words when it comes to running. This can’t be helped since close to half of runners of all experience levels overpronate. The tendency of heavier runners to pronate more than normal has been attributed to the rise in numbers of overpronated runners.

Every runner and his dog parrot that you will need special shoes for your overpronation. Is this really true? Could you get really injured and be put in a wheel chair after just a few years of running without them? Read on to find out more.

Overpronation is the tendency of the foot to roll too much inwards (that is to the center of the body in between the knees) during each foot strike cycle. There are a lot of causes for overpronation. Running the wrong way is one cause.

We are led to think that all of us know how to naturally run. This may be true but not all of us have the natural biomechanics to be efficient runners. Therefore a certain percentage of the population overpronates. Estimates place them at close to half of all runners!

This is why shoes to address excessive pronation were designed on the first place. These shoes provide support systems so that you ankle will not collapse too much inward. Imagine placing a board or a brick on a tire to prevent a car from rolling downwards an incline.

Running shoes designed for this do so in a similar manner by placing what many call support posts on the inner side of the shoe. As soon as your feet roll inwards this post or support structure will limit it at a certain point. This approach is the one that all shoe manufacturers adopt in limiting pronation.

So what happens if you refuse to wear these supportive shoes? Truth to be told it would take years of running and probably many hundred miles before any serious damage would happen to your foot, knees, legs and back.

On a shorter time frame you will experience pain ranging from your foot to your hips. Many people make the mistaken of instantly blaming shoes for any kind of discomfort they feel. Shoes take time to adjust. Or more accurately, your feet need time to adjust just to about any type of shoe (although manufacturers have started producing shoes that mold to your feet the instant you wear them).

So if you want to overcome your overpronation you need to do several things. First is adjusting the way you run. This is especially true for the new runner who hasn’t found his stride yet. Keep finding ways to run efficiently. Do it before running faster or beating clocks.

Along with this you have to research on what type of shoe you need. And don’t give up to easily. Running is a no pain no gain sport. But learn to distinguish soreness and normal pain from pain that will hurt you in the long run. Shoes meant for overpronation were made for a reason. But shoes do not perform miracles.

Selecting the right shoes and taking the time to run with better technique is the best way to eliminate problems caused by overpronation.

Read and learn if you really need Running Shoes for Flat Feet.