Runners – Gait Analysis and Motion Control vs Stability.

I’ve had a gait analysis today as I’ve been having ankle and shin/knee pain when running.

I was told that my shoes are worn out (had them about seven years but haven’t been used much at all, and only the last few months for running at 15k/week max.) They are moderate support shoes.

My gait analysis shower over pronation, and I needed support to correct this. and he recommended either the Brooks Ravenna or the Asics GT1000.

Having read up on both those shoes and they say they are both Neutral to Moderate support.

I was expecting them to be in the “Motion Control” category from what he was saying I needed to solve my issues.

Would it cause any problems to go for a shoe with more support, as from what I saw on the gait analysis, and from how my legs feel after a mile or so, I would say those shoes don’t seem to offer anything more than I already have.

All sounds pretty fair to me, I’ve had very similar problems in the past and wore the Asics GT series for many years. I’d expect going to a more supportive shoe not exactly to cause harm but would restrict any natural movement you’d be fine with, after a time you’d start to rely on the extra support.

Hard to comment on your current shoes but 7 years seems a long time, for comparison I’d get 500 odd miles out of a pair of shoes. They’d look fine but a dull pain would start under my knee and experience taught me that new shoes solved it.

I’d say take the advice, the GT’s aren’t exactly that expensive but knee shin and ankle pain can be.

The shoes are 7 years old, but the vast majority if that has been spent in the box under the bed.

I’ve only really gone back to running in the last few months (the shoes still looked brand new in November)

It just seemed a bit “easy” for him to see a shoe that isn’t made anymore and say “your shoes are worn out” you need some really similar new ones

If you know what I mean. ?

Do you actually need gait correction? Or do you just need to do some exercises to overcome some muscle imbalances?

Do you actually need gait correction? Or do you just need to do some exercises to overcome some muscle imbalances?

Going purely on what I saw on the gait analysis, my feet roll inwards.

I have got fairly flat arches and have had supports before in walking boots which helped.

I have OP, due to strange spinal bendiness – it can’t be ‘fixed’. I am not a big runner as it bores me, but I do now and again so I had a full analysis thingymajig from a well recommended chap in Blackpool when I was working over there.

I ended up with a pair of Adidas Supernova Sequence, and it wouldn’t be overly-dramatic to say they changed the way I walked, let alone ran.

So very comfortable and only fitness slows me down now, rather than knee/shin pain. I’m looking for my 4th pair now, I’ll never but another running shoe again! They’re not cheap though, but I’m kind of reassured by that.

Good luck, whatever outcome. Knee pain sucks.

Going purely on what I saw on the gait analysis, my feet roll inwards.

My left foot (there’s a film there, somewhere) does that. My physio told me to so some exercises to strengthen my outer calf muscles to give my ankle some more support. My right foot doesn’t and she could tell that the outer muscles in my right calf were more developed.

I’m over gait analysis.

There’s tons on here and elsewhere about flexible shoes that allow your body to support itself rather than ask a shoe to do it.

The one thing the human body has evolved to do: move, run…why complicate it?

why complicate it?

Didn’t think I was.

My current shoes are very flexible.

My feet and legs hurt when I run in them.

I’m looking for a solution.

My physio told me to so some exercises to strengthen my outer calf muscles to give my ankle some more support. My right foot doesn’t and she could tell that the outer muscles in my right calf were more developed.

I have similar, but when squatting / snatching, rather than running. My coach has given me loads of exercises to improve stability – standing on one leg barefoot with your eyes shut being one. Doesn’t half make your calf work hard!

standing on one leg barefoot with your eyes shut being one

Yeah, that’s one I’ve been told to do as well.

nealglover – Member
(had them about seven years but haven’t been used much at all, and only the last few months for running at 15k/week max.

Sudden increases in mileage, eg from zero to 15k per week, can cause issues, even in the right shoes.

EDIT…also, you have taken advice, believe some of it, but aren’t sure, but still kind of want to follow it?

Why not speak to him again, or take different advice.

15k a week max (that’s now)

I increased very slowly, starting off with jog 1min walk 1min for 20 minutes and worked up from there.

EDIT…also, you have taken advice, believe some of it, but aren’t sure, but still kind of want to follow it?
Why not speak to him again, or take different advice.

You mean like…. Getting other opinions.

Like maybe asking other runners who may have had similar issues ?

Good idea, wish I’d thought of that 😉

And you’re not listening to mine?

😛

What shoes do you have?

My feet and legs hurt when I run in them.

I’m looking for a solution.

Find someone who runs a lot and isn’t trying to sell you something.
Ask them if they think you overstride. If they think not, then give your legs several months to harden up and build up the necessary muscles and firing pattern. If they think you are overstriding then look at methods of stopping it.

And you’re not listening to mine?

Where did I say that ?

What shoes do you have?

Saucony Paramount Progrid – (the white and gold ones)

I just googled ‘running shoes shelf life’ and came across a thread on RW. On it someone suggest that the EVA in a shoe will deteriorate over the years even without use, funnily enough the person is called ‘Saucony’ and would appear to be an employee of Saucony, though I am easily duped.

Have a read about what Gordon Pirie’s view was on training shoes and running technique.
http://www.williamsichel.co.uk/documents/Running_Fast_and_Injury_Free.pdf

On it someone suggest that the EVA in a shoe will deteriorate over the years even without use

Exactly what I was told in the running shop today.

Most people’s feet roll inward slightly. Gait analysis has its place but there is a lot of overcomplicating a simple pure sport.

I’d get stiffer shoes; very flexible ones aren’t ideal for slower running. You’ll build up and if you use as much grass as you can, plus general strength and flexibility sessions, the problem should simmer down.

When I started running I used a barely used 15 year old pair of Reebocks. I took them to a trusted independent shop who said they were fine. I had no issues and used them until the soles delaminated.

Helmet manufacturers say you should change your helmet every 3 years IIRC. I’ve found nothing to suggest that EPS degrades due to age alone.

Find a shop you trust.

What about going back to the shop(or another) and trying on some shoes with more support. Can I ask if you ran with the suggested shoes on? Did they feel any different to your existing ones? I’d still say its the easiest change to make and at not much cost, you can always work in some of the other suggestions as you go along.

I did try shoes with some support (moderate) which were the Brooks Ravenna and the Asics GT1000.

Ran on the treadmill in both of them and they both felt ok. I could see the difference in my gait on the analysis screen too.

To be honest, the difference in feel and on the gait analysis between my own moderate support shoe, and the brand new ones, did kind of convice me a bit that mine were indeed pretty worn out.

What I want really to avoid is buying another moderate support shoe if something with more support would be better.

I’m going to another shop today to get a second opinion though, and if the advice is the same I will be happy to give it a go.

This is interesting reading, and a reputable source: http://www.scienceofrunning.com/2010/01/why-running-shoes-do-not-work-looking.html

I’m always wary of taking advice from people with such obvious conflicts of interest. I’d shop around a bit and see what you find comfy. I’d also consider seeing a physio with injury or biomechanical concerns

No running shoe shop is going to say you don’t need new shoes!