Choosing appropriate running shoes can be quite a challenging task. There are a number of different options available on the market. This can make it extremely difficult to determine which shoes will work perfectly for your feet and the distances that you need to run. Every professional runner knows exactly how important having the right type of shoes is.
Once they find shoes that fit their feet, they rarely ever alter the styling or model of shoes they wear. In this article, we take a look at different levels of runners and how a podiatrist can help you choose an option that works best for your feet.
There are a number of different aspects that come into play when choosing the right shoes for running, Getting a foot assessment done from a professional podiatrist is one of the best ways to ensure that the products you choose, provide your feet comfort and allow you to perform optimally in your chosen sport.
Runner Structure
There are different types of runner structures including:
- Minimalist
- Traditional
- Maximalist
All these terms refer to the amount of cushioning that the shoe will have. This can be either detrimental or beneficial, depending on the type of running you are going to be involved in, and what your goals are. Runners are also categorized by the overall amount of control that they provide. This too is best viewed on a continuum that ranges from:
- Neutral
- Stability
- Control
When you go to a retail store to pick runners, they will recommend models that are best suited to you based on your body composition and the amount you pronate. However, this isn’t always the best way to get the right footwear. When it comes to choosing running shoes, there are certain aspects you need to keep in view such as:
#1 The feel of the shoe
This is one of the best indicators of how much you’ll enjoy your new pair of shoes. If possible, it’s best to try out a test run with the shoes. While some models may feel good to the feet, they would not be comfortable once you start sprinting.
#2 Shoe shape matters
You need to ensure that the heel fits very snugly around your ankles. The forefoot needs to be wide enough to allow your toes to fit in comfortably and splay out and the shoe needs to be of the correct depth and width.
#3 The right cushioning
Check whether the show has sufficient cushioning to support your feet as well as the number of kilometres that you will be running.
#4 Firm support
Determine whether you feel comfortable with the manner in which your foot is positioned. Sometimes, even a seemingly comfortable shoe may make you feel too tipped-in or tipped-out.
#5 The shoe weight
It’s important to choose shoes that are responsive and light rather than ones that feel heavy like bricks.
How a Podiatrist Can Help
We at Insync Physiotherapist use very specialized methods when carrying out footwear assessment for professional runners. As part of these assessments, our experts will record the manner in which you run. We use Video Gait Analysis in this assessment, slowing the display down and inspecting every single frame for movements of your hips and back, upper leg, knees, lower leg as well as feet.
The expert will then provide feedback on which footwear would be the most appropriate for your use. In addition, they will provide further feedback related to your running style impact, where some technique modification or strength work may be needed and how certain small alterations can help reduce your chances of injury.
For any more information on the different types of services we provide, feel free to contact us on (02) 7226 3432. You can also send us your queries via this online form and we will respond quickly and answer any queries you may have.
Thanks for reading,
Insync Physiotherapy Team
(02) 7226 3432