Cross Trainers?

We all know how important it is to have proper fitting footwear for our sporting endeavors. But did you ever think that you’d be wearing shoes in the pool? American Olympic swimmer Amanda Weir has been using running shoes in her pool training to help improve her lower body strength for kicking. According to her coach, shoes are a great form of resistance training; they add a strain on the swimmer’s legs that forces them to develop more powerful muscles and better endurance. Kicking with shoes means that swimmers can retain a full range of movement so they develop strength alongside ankle flexibility. There also seems to be a mental or perceptual benefit to training with shoes in that when they come off, the feet feel lighter and faster, and have a better grip on the water.

So next time you are looking to throw a little change into your swimming routine, pack your shoes and try it out.

Reference from the SIRC Collection: Savage Hays, Kelsey (2010). If the Shoe Fits… Splash, 18(3), 32-33.

Feet First

Like most things in life, a strong and balanced foundation is crucial and this also applies to the human body. The solution to some of the body's most nagging ailments could quite simply be resolved by wearing the right type of shoes for your type of body and its mechanics.

Pronation is the term used to describe the normal motion of the foot when it strikes the ground during the gait cycle. Normal weight distribution travels from the lateral side of the heel (subtalar) to the medial (talocalcaneonavicular) side of the ball of the foot.  Knowing if one is an “over pronator" or "supinator” is valuable information in diagnosing other areas of injury, as well as choosing the correct footwear and/or foot supports.

Over pronation occurs when the feet roll inward excessively, creating a flat foot which can lead to a variety of injuries, especially in runners, including:

• Achilles tendinitis
• Anterior compartment syndrome
• Bunions (Hallux valgus)
• Patello-femoral pain syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis
• Shin splints
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome

For a supinator (under pronator), the foot will not roll far enough in a medial direction during the gait cycle, with excessive weight put on the baby toe (metatarsal) towards the lateral side of the foot, and therefore not allow the foot to provide efficient shock absorption. Extreme supination can lead to:

• Ankle sprains
• Plantar fasciitis
• Shin splints 
• Stress fractures of the tibia, calcaneus and metatarsals

In both excessive cases of pronation, the wearing patterns on the soles of the shoes can say a lot about how your feet are striking the ground during gait. Depending on the severity of the correction required, the proper shoe or insole can straighten things out. There are also custom orthotics, specially fitted devices, that can be made for sports and dress shoes.

If the feet are out of line, so will everything else be. So don’t let misalignment create unnecessary wear and tear on the body.

For more information on biomechanics, please visit SIRC.