Runners World examines the relationship between our arch height and running injuries. We all come from different genetic backgrounds and are all built differently and have different traits that are more or less helpful when we run. A common question concerns the type of feet we have. Some of us have high arches and tend to be very stiff footed and stiff legged, while others have low arches and overpronate. Overpronation is when the foot hits the ground and turns out and falls in more than desirable, for the efficient transference of forces from the ground up. According to runners world, people who have high arches are more prone to impact injuries such as stress fractures and people who have low arches are more likely to get soft tissue injuries in the feet and shins such as shin splints. The truth is that many of us are built asymmetrically, and may have one type of foot, both types of feet and some of us have near perfect body mechanics. In other words, your mileage may vary (sorry for the pun). Many makers of running shoes are trying to develop shoes that minimize impact and address the weaknesses in our individual biomechanics by absorbing shock and improving our gait inefficiencies. Foot orthotics when used properly can help a nice shoe become a great shoe for you by improving the shoes support system. Off the shelf and custom options can help by improving our mechanical symmetry, by changing the way we transmit force from the ground up. Check out this interesting article from Runners World. Can Arch Height Predict Your Running Injuries? High- and low-arched runners cushion their foot landings differently. By Alex Hutchinson FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2017, 6:11 AM The “Wet Test,” in which you assess the shape of your wet footprint to determine if you have high or low arches, has somewhat fallen out of fashion in running circles in recent years. It used to be that people with low arches were assumed to be “overpronators” and were assigned motion control shoes, while people with high arches were assigned cushioned shoes. But in parallel with the rise of minimalism around 2010, a series of studies found that this type of shoe prescription didn’t seem to reduce injury risk. These days, you’re more likely to hear advice along the lines of “Buy a shoe that feels comfortable to you when you run.” Read more