The most important equipment for a runner is the right running shoe. Many people enjoy running or jogging but not everyone knows the correct way to select the shoe that is right for them. 

Running shoes are specifically designed to address a vast variety of running styles, foot shapes, weight differences, and biomechanical anomalies. A gait analysis will help determine your personal running style by analyzing a slowed-down video recording of you running, in most cases on a treadmill. The results can then be used to make an informed selection of shoes that best suit your running style, fit your feet the best and feel the most comfortable.

Gait Analysis

Gait analysis is the study of animal locomotion, including locomotion of humans. Gait analysis (also called running style assessment) is commonly used to help runners run more efficiently and to identify posture-related or movement-related problems in people with injuries. It also helps determine the runner's foot motion or style, both of which play a vital role in the selection of shoes best suited to the runner's particular running style. What is your personal pronation type?

Normal Pronation

In a normal foot/ankle movement, the outside part of your heel makes initial contact with the the ground, "rolls" inward about five percent and comes in complete contact with the ground while keeping your foot/ankle line straight. To complete this gait cycle you then push off evenly from the ball of the foot. This motion is called pronation and it's critical to proper shock absorption.

Many people over or under pronate, where the foot "rolls" too much or too little, this might not be a problem until you start running where the extra stress causes biomechanical problems and injury.  

Overpronation (flat feet)

As with the normal foot/ankle sequence, the outside of the heel makes the initial contact with the ground. But then the foot rolls inward more than the ideal five percent, causing the foot and ankle problems with stabilizing the body. This is called "overpronation." With overpronation the shock is not absorbed as efficiently. The front of the foot then pushes off the ground using mainly the big toe and the second toe, both of which must now do all the work.

Underpronation (supination)

As before, the outside of the heel makes the initial contact with the ground. However, the inward movement of the foot then occurs at less than four percent which means there is less rolling in than for those runners with normal or flat feet). As a result, the force of impact is concentrated on a smaller area of the foot (i.e. the outer part), and is not distributed as efficiently. The smaller toes on the outside of the foot do most of the work in the push-off phase.

Is there any other way I can determine my foot type?

Yes, there is! It is called the "Wet Foot Test".

To perform a wet foot test, wet your feet and walk across a surface that will show your footprint - a towel or piece of paper/cardboard. A review of these footprints will give you an idea of your gait type. 

Now I know my gait, where do I go? 

Once you know your gait type, you can go to any sports store and select the shoes that suit you best. Remember, the different running shoes brands have different cuts which suit different people. 

If you are not sure which brand suits you best, spend some time trying on the various brands, ideally go to the brand's showroom for a wider choice and make a selection only after you have tried the different brands. This may be a bit time-consuming the first time you buy a pair of running shoes but once you have identified "your" brand, it's just a case of deciding on the right model for your feet.

Related Links 

SoleReview - India's first sports shoe review website