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Runner's knowledge of their foot type: do they really know?
Erik Hohmann1, Peter Reaburn, Andreas Imhoff
1Department of Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, University of Technology, Munich, Germany. ehohmann@optusnet.com.au
Foot (Edinburgh, Scotland)
|May 22, 2012
Summary
Runners often misjudge their foot arch and pronation. This poor self-awareness can lead to incorrect running shoe selection and potential injuries.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Sports Medicine
- Podiatry
Background:
- Proper running shoe selection is crucial for injury prevention.
- Understanding individual foot anatomy, including arch type and pronation, is essential for choosing appropriate footwear.
- Many runners lack awareness of their specific foot characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate recreational runners' self-knowledge of their foot arch type.
- To compare runners' perceived arch type and pronation with clinical assessments.
- To determine the accuracy of self-assessment in relation to foot mechanics.
Main Methods:
- 92 recreational runners participated in the study.
- A questionnaire assessed runners' knowledge of arch height and overpronation.
- Clinical examination and analysis of weight-bearing footprints determined the arch index and identified overpronation.
Main Results:
- Less than half (49%) of runners accurately identified their foot arch type.
- Accuracy varied by arch type: 44% for flat, 50% for normal, and 3 out of 3 for high arches.
- Self-reported overpronation was highly inaccurate, with only 11% correctly identified, while 12% of non-overpronators exhibited clinical overpronation.
Conclusions:
- Runners demonstrate a significant lack of knowledge regarding their foot arch characteristics.
- Self-assessment of dynamic pronation is unreliable among recreational runners.
- Improved runner education on foot anatomy is needed for appropriate footwear selection and injury reduction.
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