Excessive pronation and supination may be caused in part by problems in the feet; but they are usually also symptoms of imbalances or weaknesses elsewhere in the body, including in the back, hips, buttocks, hamstrings, quadriceps and knees.  While the right running shoes can help to limit the effect of these biomechanical deficiencies, it is better if possible to identify and correct the underlying causes.

Runners who are lucky enough to neither pronate nor supinate excessively are called “neutral”.  They don’t need special shoes to correct their gait (i.e. their running style) – though shoes which are designed to prevent over-pronation are unlikely to do them any harm – which often means that they can wear lighter and cheaper shoes than their less fortunate brethren.

A simple check for overpronation

1. Stand in front of a full-length mirror, barefoot, on one leg, with your hands behind your back, and your toes facing forward;

2. Keeping your pelvis level and your back straight, slowly bend the leg on which you are standing;

3. Your knee should go straight forward, over your second toe.  If it bends in towards the other leg, past the big toe, then you probably  over-pronate when you run.