Long distance runners know that, in order to choose the right shoe and avoid injuries, they must analyze their arch of the foot.
Long distance runners know that, in order to choose the right shoe and avoid injuries, they must analyze their arch of the foot. Now, specialists at the University of Oxford say that even men who do not participate in any marathon should examine the sole. In a study conducted among 60 patients with osteoarthritis, people with a very high arch are more likely to suffer from such a problem in the hip, while people with the lowest arch develop disease in the knees. To find out which group you belong to, place a brown paper bag on the floor, dampen your feet and stand on the bag. Compare your prints with the images presented here.
Diagnosis
Flat arches (The mark shows almost the entire sole of the foot, without any dry space between the front and the heel.)
Why it hurts
The ligaments that support your feet are too loose. This causes the femur to spin out at every step you take, putting too much weight on your knees.
What to do
Buy support insoles for all your shoes and perform the iliotibial band (T) stretch after exercising.
Diagnosis
High arches (The toe appears on the mark, a small part of the front and heel almost connected by a very narrow strip.)
Why it hurts
The ligaments and tendons that support your feet are too tight and, as a consequence, your knees and ankles cannot bend very much and the force is transferred to the hip.
What to do
Avoid flat shoes, such as moccasins. Also, do the Achilles tendon stretch after exercising.