RobInOz wrote:
bigmatt wrote:
I've had a couple of ankle surgeries, I overpronate, and I use custom orthotics to control pronation (to some degree). Recently, I saw my podiatrist (excellent surgeon, has saved the careers of some multi-million dollar athletes) about a posterior tib issue, and I asked him if he wanted to see my gait. To my surprise, he said (paraphrasing here) "No. Current research suggests that pronation isn't necessarily bad and we could end up doing more harm than good by trying to eliminate it." But thing is, when I go to a specialty running store, they watch me run and recommend shoes based on how much pronation there is in the slow-motion video. Question is, how should I be evaluating shoes in light of this new info? The last thing I want is to buy a pair of shoes only to find myself injured 50mi later.
Having mutliple different pairs of running shoes can help prevent a new pair causing injury.
Even if the new pair is 'right' for you, if it is different to you previous pairs it will probably put different types of strains on your muscles. Example going from a high ramp to low ramp you will put more strain on your calf and achilles. If you switched completely from one pair to the other - very high chance of injury. But if you slowly introduced the new pair, your body will gradually adapt.
I am an overpronator. Not enough to require orthotics, but the 'experts' recommended (based on slow motion video footage) I switch from neutral runners to Asics Kayanos. Was almost permanently injured for the next 2 years. Switched back to neutral runners and the injuries disappeared. Have since discovered a different (better) running specialty store and they can see the overpronation, but are still happy for me to buy the neutral shoes.
As Slowman mentioned, the Hokas are neutral shoes with stability features. I do find I have less issues in Hokas, if only they had a wider toe box.
The problem as you describe is that most âexpertsâ in running shops arenât experts at all. In most cases they look at the feet/ankles, see pronation and want that pronation gone or at least less.
They get you a motion control shoe, in your the Asics Kayano, and probably your ankles/feet pronated less but in the chain above most likely a lot moved differently and likely wrong.
We see that a lot of runningshoe store employees -but not all of them- just lack enough knowledge of what happens if you change something at the feet/ankle with a shoe in the kinetic chain above.
For the last 4 years we are working with MotionMetrix software that shows a complete 3D scan, without markers, jĚust the software and 2 kinect cameras and that gives you a complete look on the how the body/legs are moving, where there are potential red flag areas, differences between left/right side, etc.
Just a few screenshots of what you get. But just like every bike fit tool it is just as good as the knowledge of the one using it.
But is really very helpful in recognizing differences in movement patterns and between shoes.
Jeroen
Owner at TRIPRO, The Netherlands