Rigid flat feet can be caused by changes to the shape of the foot bone, due to a short Achilles tendon or as a result of an injury. This may be due to a temporary strain of the foot caused during an activity that assisted in overstretching of the ligaments in the arch and is typically accompanied by pain. Some adolescents and adults can be prone to a falling arch. They occur either due to congenital weakness of the muscles in the arches or can be acquired by stretching of the arch ligaments and weakness of the muscles in the arches.Īdditional causes of flat feet can be a lack of muscle tone or weak foot muscles which cannon maintain the body’s weight (3).įlat feet are typically painless, do not influence the ability to walk, and do not cause changes in posture. ‘Flat’ feet, or abnormally flat arches are also known as ‘pronated’ feet and are characterized by the flatness of the arch of the foot. The rationale for promoting cushioning material is that it can potentially minimize the impact forces on joints when running on hard surfaces (1). Shock absorption properties in the sole and the type of materials used for its density and structure have also been studied in relation to abstaining from a running-related injury. Some of these characteristics include a heel-to-toe drop, thickness of the midsole hardness, stability factors, and age of the shoe and how often it has been used (1). The ‘correct’ type of running shoe is frequently decided by matching the characteristics of the shoe to one’s foot morphology. Running-related injuries are frequent and most running injuries involve the back and the lower limbs (1). Some risk factors for injury can include demographics, lower limb anatomy, training behavior, and the type of footwear chosen for the activity (1).Īdditional factors that can influence an injury during running can be running experience, speed, body mass, and surface type (2). Unfortunately, the drawback is that multiple factors may contribute to causing a running-related injury.

However, running-related injuries can sometimes occur.

Running can have multiple health benefits and is one of the most common physical activities practiced around the world.

What are the best shoes for flat feet