After a recent visit to a Nike store, Britt Aboutaleb of Yahoo! Beauty says the following questions should come to mind when looking for a running shoe: “How often do you run? How many miles? Do you run on a treadmill, the road, a trail? Are you training for anything? What’s your average pace?”

The Nike store that fit Aboutaleb went a route more shoe stores are going, by conducting a shoe fitting test on Aboutaleb . The video analyzed aspects of how Aboutaleb ran; such as pronation, heel arch, and the direction her feet rolled in. These factors allowed the employees to find a shoe that best fit Aboutaleb.

Choosing the right running should be a concern made with your feet in mind. For more information or even a professional sizing, see Dr. Carl Ingrassia, DPM of Fords Foot and Ankle Care. Dr. Ingrassia can assist you with finding the right running shoe for you.

Choosing the Right Running Shoe for Your Foot Type

Although it seems simple, running is in fact a complex movement that places stress on the joints, bones, and ligaments of the body. To increase performance and avoid the risk of injury, it is important to choose the right running shoe based on your foot type. The general design of running shoes is centered around pronation, which is the rolling of the ankle from outside to inside when the foot strikes the ground.

• Neutral runners are able to choose from a wide variety of shoes, including minimalist shoes or even go barefoot
• Runners who overpronate, or experience an over-abundance of ankle rolling, should choose shoes that provide extra motion control and stability
• Runners who underpronate, or supinate, have feet that have high arches and lack flexibility, preventing shock absorption. Runners who supinate require shoes with more flexibility and cushion

To learn about your foot type, visit a local shop that specializes in running shoes. Professionals will be able to measure your stride, gait, and arch type and inform you of your footwear needs, which come in handy for future reference.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office in Fords, NJ and East Brunswick, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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