Understanding The Anatomy Of A Good Running Shoe

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Did you know there is a whole sect of podiatry that is dedicated to the care of athletes? This is because athletes put way more strain on their feet and lower extremities than the average person. Runners especially have issues with their feet because of the sheer stress of consistent force on their feet when they run.

Even though most runners know that many problems can be avoided with the right shoes for the sport, most blindly pick shoes that seem like they should offer enough support, either because of the way they feel on their feet or because they re dubbed as running shoes by the manufacturer. To make sure you keep your feet protected, you should take a look at the anatomy of a good running shoe. 

Outsole - The outsole or bottom of a running shoe must be structured and firm, yet resilient enough to absorb shock with every step during a run. Therefore, you should be looking for running shoes that have an outsole created with either carbon or blown rubber, both of which are firm yet bouncy. If you pick a pair of shoes that does not have an efficient outsole, it means your heels, arches, and even toes have to pick up most of the shock when your foot hits the ground, and that can lead to a list of injuries.

Upper Shoe - The upper shoe is the part of the shoe that connects to the sole and actually holds the shoe in place on your foot. Even though this specific area of the shoe may seem like it's not as important as the sole and support system, it really does make a difference. The upper shoe should be flexible so that it conforms to the shape of your foot and provide enough support to the back of the heel that you do not put stress on the tendons there when you run. 

Midsole Stability Structure - Running along the middle of the outsole of a good running shoe will usually be a piece of structured material that provides support. This inner midsole support can be made out of everything from plastic to metal, but the main thing is that it is actually there. Not all athletic shoes have a midsole stability insert, which means there is a lacking support system for the arch. This can lead to severe issues with the primary tendons that support the arch of the foot.

Contact a podiatric sports medicine clinic for more help.


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