The Running Gait

What is the running gait?

The running gait is a unique set of actions and reactions that your foot performs while in motion to support, cushion, and balance your body.

A runner's gait can be characterized as having three distinct phases:

 
 
What is pronation?

Pronation is simply a normal foot in motion, from foot-strike on the outside of the heel through the inward roll of the foot. Pronation occurs as the foot rolls from the outer edge to the inner edge. Everyone pronates, and the initial pronation is considered an important and healthy response to the intense amount of shock imposed upon the foot and is integral to propelling you forward. If the foot pronates too much or too little and does so frequently, several biomechanical problems may result that will cause a decrease in performance and increase the possibility of injury.

 
 
What is overpronation?

Overpronators generally land in a pronated position and continue to roll significantly inward as they go from heel strike to toe off. They exhibit excessive inward motion and are best served with shoes offering medial (inside edge) support via a Medial Post or shoes featuring the ROLLBAR® technology. Motion Control shoes offer the highest level of overpronation correction. Click here to view true Motion Control shoes featuring the ROLLBAR. (Men's | Women's). Stability shoes usually incorporate either the TS2® Transitional Support System, a Medial Post to help prevent overpronation, or simply offer a high level of overall support. Click here to view Stability shoes (Men's | Women's).

 
 
What is underpronation?

Underpronators generally land in a significantly supinated position and experience very little pronation, meaning from impact to toe-off their foot rolls inward less than the norm. They do not have enough inward motion and therefore can benefit from shoes designed for the neutral gait, designated as "cushioning" shoes, which allow and promote the foot to follow the natural pronation movement. (Men's | Women's).

 
 
How to tell what I am?

The easiest way to determine your running gait is by looking at one of your used pair of shoes.

Place the shoes side by side on a table, toes pointing away from you. Look at the shoes from eye-level and you should be able to see one of three scenarios...

If the shoes have a slight or significant inward tilt, then you exhibit an overpronation running gait.

If the shoes appear to be neutral and do not tilt inward nor out, then you exhibit a pronation-neutral running gait.

If the shoes have a slight or significant outward tilt, then you exhibit an underpronation (supination) running gait.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please Ask the Expert.