Come the marathon season for any city in the world, prominent runners flock to get hold of shoes that can pace them up give them more cushioning and help them have an injury free long run.

How about Barefoot running ?

Barefoot running has been very prevalent these days just like the days when we were primates! We evolved and now many magazines, shoe stores advocate a science about different forms of supportive shoes one might need to get the foot maximum rest and support as per the arch type. But the present day evidences are all debunking the myth of a running shoe.

 Flat Foot: Exaggerated Arches and the Constant Aches

The term 'flat foot' is generally used in common layman terms as fallen arches in a foot; one can have them congenitally and many acquire it too, some arches are flexible while some are rigid. We can blame it on ourselves for the major reason we have been born with flat foot. Evidences say kids who have not been allowed to walk barefoot in their growing up years have contributed to the increase incidence of findings of a flat foot diagnosis. Early introduction of footwear in a child's life has lead to weak arches and weak intrinsic muscles of the foot. Most times alignment of the navicular bone could be the cause. One needs early intervention to correct the form of the arch if its a flexible one. Modified arch supported shoes is the most easiest remedy introduced most times to help with prevention of shin splints, IT Band syndromes, and lower back pains. But almost majority of population tend to over pronate while running, they can also use a medial arch support but they can be of temporary use, working on muscles in the foot, calf and hip can help simplify and stabilize the arches by using the right foot strike and pacing techniques of running. Majority of people also have exaggerated arch which is mainly called as supination, they have tight calf 's and also precede into bow legs and chronic IT band issues. 

Shoes are a very important protective gear for the feet mainly for folks who are Diabetic and also for those who have chances of easy ulceration with impaired vascular and neuropathic conditions.


MYTH vs FACTS to keep in mind while selecting the right running shoes

  1. Shoes prevent injury for long distance runners - It isn’t clear how this relationship was first established, but current research suggests that it is outdated, and that there are several flaws with this belief.
  2. The wet foot test can’t predict function during walking or running - This test to measure foot shape is done while standing, and the way your foot is while static is not necessarily the way it behaves during movement.
  3. There is no such thing as normal - The different shoe types all aim to get your foot into a more neutral position. The idea is that the risk of injury is reduced if we are normally aligned. The problem is, “normal” does not exist when it comes to the human body. “Normal” is specific to each individual and we all have different preferences of alignment: there isn’t just one perfect position that works for everyone.
  4. Prescribed running shoes don’t prevent injury - When shoes are recommended based on static foot shape, they aren’t any more effective at preventing injury than a shoe that is not specific for that arch type. Choose a shoe in which u feel comfortable and based on your activity level that's the newer trend in shoe prescription.
  5. Remember injuries happen when your hips are unstable and your hips never lie - It goes without saying spending a lot on shoe doesn't really help rather spend time getting those hip move better and stronger.