Tip - Minimalist Shoes and Flat Feet: Not Always the Best Pair - Athletic Lab

Being flat footed isn’t the end of the world. There have been many successful athletes who have had missing arches in their feet. In fact, there’s ongoing research based on the thought that flat footed sprinters might actually be faster than their counterparts who have normal feet. No matter the level of success, it is necessary for the flat footed to be mindful when it comes to the care of their feet. There are different types of flat feet. For the purpose of this article, we’ll define flat feet as a medical condition in which the arch of the foot has fallen. When standing, the entire foot of someone who is flat footed would either be in near or complete contact with the ground. If studying the footprints that are left behind near a swimming pool, a footprint that lacks an arch might be found by searching for an entire footprint. With flat feet, the tendency is for the foot to turn inward or to become pronated. When running, people with flat feet generally overpronate. This puts extra stress on the joints of the ankles, knees, hips and the back. The feet should be viewed as the base of the body. If the foundation is crumbling, everything on top of the base has the potential to become unstable as well. Proper shoes and orthotics have the potential to prevent injuries by alleviating the tendency for the feet to pronate. Without proper support, injuries may occur. Over recent years, minimalist shoes and barefoot running have increased in popularity. There’s an ongoing debate as to whether or not these shoes, or lack thereof, are worth the rage they’ve become. On one side of the debate: minimalist shoes …