If you are a new runner then you’ve probably already heard of the terms overpronation and supination – but do you really know what they mean? It is essential to understand these terms, as you need to ensure that you get the correct pair of running shoes for your feet. If you get the wrong pair, then not only will you have very little protection from running injuries, but you could also make any biomechanical issues worse than if you were just using a standard shoe. This article will go into these two terms in more detail to help you decide which shoes are for you.
Pronation is the most common type of runner, and for this reason there are more shoes which are built for pronators. The term might sound complicated, but all it really means is that the runners foot rolls towards the centre line of the body when they run. There are different degrees of pronation, however, with light pronation usually not being a problem.
Severe pronation makes the runner a lot more likely to suffer from running injuries, as the force transmitted up the kinetic chain will not be dissipated correctly.
Supination is the exact opposite of pronation, in that the foot doesn’t roll towards the centre line enough. While this is much less common, it is still an issue and can lead to injuries. It is more difficult to correct, but it is essential that a runner with a supination issue doesn’t use motion control running shoes (whether they are Saucony or Salomon running shoes) which provide a lot of support to the arch. This could make the problem worse, because the arch will be lifted up even further and more force will be sent up the chain. This is why choosing the best running shoes is very important for a runners long term future and outlook.