Pronation of the foot during the gait cycle

Exercise is one of the ways to improve your physical well-being and it aids in great measure to get rid of ailments, aches and pains. Follow the exercise programme provided by the biokineticists at Anine van der Westhuizen Biokineticist in George and feel the difference. This week biokineticist Lize Coetzee continues the topic of foot movement.

Last week we focused on the gait cycle as an introduction to the importance of the foot, and foot movement in locomotion (walking). This week we will focus on pronation, and the misunderstanding that any form of pronation is bad. Pronation is an inward “rolling” movement of the inside border (medial border) of the foot. With “normal” pronation, the foot “rolls” inward. Thus, there is a normal side-to-side movement of the foot during walking or running.

The foot is the link between the body and the ground, and provides a base of support to the body. The foot also provides proprioceptive feedback to the brain (awareness of joint and body position for balance) and traction (grip) for movement, and it acts as a lever to propel the body forward.

Further it allows adjustment to uneven surfaces. Its motion also decreases energy expenditure by contributing to the swing phase and stance phase of the gait cycle when the toes are pulled up towards the shin (dorsiflexion).

All of this is made possible through the biomechanics of the foot, the way in which all the bones and muscles act together to make movement possible.

When the foot comes into contact with the ground with heel strike, it is flexible, thus it has more freedom of motion to adapt to various surfaces. The weight is usually on the outer edge of the heel when the foot makes contact and as the weight is shifted more towards the inner edge of the heel, a slight pronation takes place. The arch flattens to distribute the force of heel strike, and encourages flexibility and facilitates shock absorption for adaptation to uneven terrain.

Thus, a certain degree of pronation is a normal part of foot movement in any walking motion and only if it is excessive and prolonged, is it seen as a problem. There are definitely some cases where orthotics is needed and a podiatrist or orthotist will be very helpful in these cases.

Next week we will continue with the foot and movement of the foot during walking or running.