ASK THE EXPERT
RUNNING SHOES
HISTORY, ANATOMY,By&Dr.TIPS ON PURCHASING YOUR IDEAL RUNNING SHOE Michael M. Cohen, DPM, FACFAS
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know how to match these features with their NATOMY OF A particular needs. Because of the many variables RUNNING SHOE described it is clear that there will be no single (PART 2) How important are perfect shoe for everybody. running shoes and what role do they play in To find an appropriate running shoe it’s preventing or even causing injury? essential that runners become familiar with Before answering this question, one must a shoe’s anatomy. Below are a few of the ponder this important point. Running requires major components: conditioning and conditioning requires a consis- ANATOMY OF A RUNNING SHOE tent and deliberate training schedule. Running Toe box: This is the front of the shoe shoes are but an adjunct to avoiding injury. where the forefoot and toes lie. It can Who can forget the great Ethiopian marathoner take many shapes: pointed (narrow), Abebe Bakila who in 1960 won a gold medal rounded (wide), low or high. The size of in the Rome Olympics in 2:12 barefooted? To the toe box allows the shoes to accomAfricans, running barefoot is not a particularly modate for the width of the foot as well unusual sight. Ethiopians and Kenyans are as hammertoe and bunion deformities. known to train barefoot and had been doing so since they were children because running Midsole: This is the rubbery white or is the sole source of transportation to and grey stuff in the sole of the shoe and is made of EVA or polyurethane. It from school. functions to control movement and The Tarahumara Indians in Copper Canyon absorb shock and may harbor additional New Mexico hunt deer for several days covering shock-absorbing inserts such as air or 100-200 miles of rocky mule track. These gel. A disadvantage to air and gel lives exceptional athletes would hunt deer by literally in the loss of stability with additional running them to exhaustion. The incredible feat cushioning is adversely proportional to is accomplished while wearing homemade the stability of the shoe. sandals constructed from the treads of discarded truck tires. Counter: The heel counter is the portion that wraps around the back of the heel What is it that keeps the Indians and Africans and helps to control its motion, it profrom becoming injured in light of the fact that they vides stability. The stiffer the counter are not wearing high-tech running shoes? The the better the stability. A stable heel answer lies essentially in one word, conditioning. counter is good for flexible feet (usually Running shoes are but half the battle against the flexible flat foot type). injury prevention, the other half requires a proper training schedule. While it’s true that Last design: This refers to the shape of our concrete jungles do not mimic the natural the shoe. It may come in straight (good impact absorbing properties of soil and sand for flat feet), semi-curved (the average found in other regions, we nevertheless require foot), or curved (good for high arched the conditioning necessary by training smartly feet and midfoot strikers). (HINT: Trace and safely. Novices quickly discover that the your foot and matched it to the shoe shoe is not a substitute for good training. That design.) being said, the purpose of a running shoe is Lateral: Outer edge of the shoe. twofold. It is necessary to absorb impact and Medial: Inner edge of the shoe (along stabilize- or control unnecessary and abnormal the arch and great toe). motion of the foot in the shoe. Chronic overuse injuries generally occur because of excessive Insole: Removable footplate and shoe impact, excessive motion, or both. We describe which often comes with attachable arch the motion in the foot in terms of pronation (an cookies. excessive pronator has flat feet) and supination Motion control: These are designs used (an excessive supinator generally has high to control overpronating feet (rolling in arched or cavus feet). Running shoes are of the foot), and is generally necessary designed to accommodate specific foot types, for feet that are flat and flexible. I do not training distances, and body weight. They recommend this type of shoe for runmay also be used in certain circumstances to ners or walkers who are plagued with avoid or treat specific injuries. One needs to knee arthritis because of their inherent
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lack of shock absorption.
The material on the bottom of ▸ Outsole: the shoe which contacts the ground and is made of carbon rubber. The outsole grips the ground and is a descendent of the Nike waffle pattern designed by Oregon coach Bill Bowerman over half a century ago.
This is the cloth or lesser portion ▸ Upper: of the shoe connected to the rubber portion or the midsole.
this refers to the shape of the ▸ Rocker: bottom of the shoe while viewing the
shoe from the side. There may be a curve under the ball of the foot referred to as a forefoot rocker or in the center of the arch referred to as a midfoot rocker. Rockers are excellent for offloading the ball of the foot and are appropriate for those with a history of metatarsal stress fractures, inflexibility, or arthritis in the ball of the foot and the Achilles tendon. Rockers are also very effective in treating plantar fasciitis.
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34 / Our City Davie / June 2022 / OurCityMedia.com
A 3 PART SERIES
type: If you pull the insole out of ▸ Last the shoe, you can observe how the last
was constructed. Slip lasted shoes are sewn like a moccasin from the heel to the toes along the center of the shoe, this is the most flexible design. A board lasted shoe maintains a firm fiberboard throughout and is the most rigid design. This provides the most stiffness and best stability. Combination lasting is a combination of the two and provides advantages of both designs. Most shoes now bear this type of last. Look for Part 3: Tips on Choosing the Ideal Running Shoe in the July issue of OUR CITY.
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Michael M. Cohen, DPM, is a Board-Certified Foot and Ankle Surgeon and Diplomate of the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. He is a Fellow of the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and Board Certified and Diplomat of the American Board of Podiatric Medicine. He practices with the Foot, Ankle and Leg Specialists of South Florida specializing in lower leg injuries and reconstructive surgery of the foot and ankle. The South Florida Institute of Sports Medicine in Weston is located at 1600 Town Center Blvd., Suite C, (954) 3895900 and in Pembroke Pines at 17842 NW 2nd Street, (954) 430-9901. The practice website is www.SOUTHFLORIDASPORTSMEDICINE.org.
