Motion Control Shoes

What are Motion Control Shoes?

Motion Control Shoes are shoes which are designed to limit the rolling motion of the foot during each foot strike. This rolling motion is very brief clocking in at just fractions of a second.

To illustrate better imagine a looking behind a runner as he is running. Focusing on the rear of his shoe or heel you will notice how the ankles move too much inwards during each foot strike. As the shoe propels the runner forwards the foot will push forwards AND sideways almost following a duck-walk like pattern.

This action is called overpronation and is commonly encountered by heavier runners who have flat feet. To combat this action (which can cause foot discomfort and foot injuries in the long run) you will be needing motion control shoes.

Motion control shoes work by limiting the excessive rolling of the foot inwards during each gait cycle. They accomplish this by putting up support structures on the medial part of the sole. They work by limiting the motion your foot tends to do. They do this by stiffening up the lateral strength of the shoe.

Motion control shoes will by typically well build to combat the twisting of your foot during the gait cycle. It is easy to spot them among running shoes as they feature a medial post support structure. Look for strengthened walls of the sole in the inner portion of the foot.

You should be able to know by getting the half way point between your toe and your heel on the inner side (the side which meets your other foot). Some manufacturers also provide support by beams that cross laterally (most of the time diagonally) underneath the sole. Some call these torsion bars or support bars or motion control support.

What Can Motion Control Shoes For You?

Motion Control Shoes like the Brooks Beast Running Shoes can control the sideward rolling motion of your foot. This can actually heal injuries caused by a collapsing ankle due to excessive pronation. In many cases it can make runners who could no longer run feel as if their injuries never even existed.

But the real reason to purchase motion control shoes is to actually prevent those injuries from happening. The wrong pair of shoes may not hinder you in the short term but they can surely introduce unwanted foot problems and in some cases even permanently damage your foot structure.

If you have identified yourself as possessing flat feet and have noticed a tendency of overpronation then it is best to acquire motion control shoes. You’ll find that it will be easier to run on and feel very supportive. This will give you the confidence to run more and not be afraid of those nagging injuries most runners face.

This Video illustrates the correction a pair of motion control shoes does to an overpronated runner. Note at how much better the heels are positioned relative to the whole foot.

At first it may not seem like a huge difference but look at the video over and over again. Take note at how his foot was aligned forwards after fitting the motion control shoes. In the first pair he was almost running with his foot on a diagonal direction pushing only on his toe part of his forefoot.

With the correct pair it looks almost straight with the heel no longer collapsing too much inwards. A simple video but one that shoes how a simple shoe change can correct a flawed running gait.

For the flat footed overpronated runner a motion control shoe like the Brooks Beast Running Shoes is vital in keeping your foot healthy and your running consistent.