Video:How to Determine What Kind of Feet You Have

Transcript:How to Determine What Kind of Feet You Have

Hi, I'm Jen D'Amore for About.com, and this video is all about how to determine what kind of feet you have, so you can find the best shoe for running.

It's important to buy the right kind of running shoe for your foot. Having the right shoe can prevent injury and make running a more pleasurable experience. Many running specialty stores can help you find the right shoe for your foot type by having you run on a treadmill, and shooting video of the back of your feet and heels to determine what's going on when you run.

Three Types of Feet for Runners

There are three ways to classify feet:

• overpronators - meaning your feet roll in
• underprontors - meaning your feet roll out
• neutral or "normal" feet - your feet don't roll

Test What Kind of Feet You Have at Home

You can also do a simple test at home. You can study your foot itself, but a more accurate method is to make a footprint, by running in the sand or on paper with wet feet.

Signs of an Overpronator Foot

If you have flat feet, you won't see any arch, and your running foot print will not have an inward curve, but be more even front to back. If you have flat feet you are most likely an overpronator and will need a running shoe that maintains stability. You will find shoes marked with "motion control" and "stability" for your type of foot.

Signs of an Underpronator Foot

If you have high-arched feet, you'll notice a definite arch on your foot, and your print will curve making your foot look very skinny. Your arch will stay rigid if you push your hands against the bottom of your foot. If you have high arches you probably supinate or underpronate. You will need a flexible running shoe with a soft midsole that absorbs shock. You will find shoes marked with "flexible" or "cushioned" in their descriptions that will work well with your arch.

High-arches can gradually fall, so re-measure your feet periodically to see if you're still high-arched or turning neutral.

Signs of a Neutral Foot

If your foot or footprint doesn't seem to be flat-footed or high-arched, you probably have neutral feet. You will have a noticeable curve inward on your foot, but not by more than 3/4 of an inch. Neutral feet are the most common, and are least susceptible to injury, as long as you don't get a shoe that counteracts your foot type, like one made with a lot of stability. With a neutral foot you have plenty of shoes to choose from.

Getting the right shoe for your foot type makes a big difference. Thanks for watching. To learn more, visit us on the web at About.com.