RUNNING
Running is often thought of as the simplest of athletic activities to perform. Well, while it may be simple in task, perfecting the proper form while often taking more than 1600 steps per mile can be quite taxing on the runner's body. Traditional running shoes have been concerned with cushioning, stability and foot type (curved, semi-curve and neutral). Newer running shoes have focused on foot shape (wider toe box) and heel-to-toe drop (sole from heel to toe). With all the technology that has gone into the sole and body of the running shoe, the insole of running shoes has for the most part, been unchanged. No question, how the shoe meets the terrain you're running on is important, but how your foot meets the shoe is of ultimate importance.
Regardless of whether you are a heel, midfoot or forefoot striker, your foot will be forced to pronate upon weight bearing or full impact. Just how much pronation occurs is due to arch height along with muscle and tendon strength. Most running shoe insoles (and over the counter insoles) do not offer enough support to offset any deficiencies in the foot and ankle. Even though running on level ground may place minimal stress on the foot and ankle, the incredible amount of repetition while running mile after mile can create overuse issues. Add to that the increased stress running uphill places on "late stage (toe off) pronation" and the ballistic stress running downhill places on impact pronation and you'll understand the importance of quality foot support between the foot and midsole of the running shoe. Having an orthotic that is in full contact with your foot at all times and helps control the speed of pronation (but doesn't stop it) can drastically assist in injury prevention and enhance efficiency.
Sole Supports orthotics are casted in a 5 step MASS Posture (Maximum Arch Supination Stabilization) process to allow a footprint that captures the true medial longitudinal arch, lateral longitudinal arch and transverse arch of the foot. Therefore, a MASS Posture orthotic offers full contact with the foot at all times. What does this mean? It means that there is no lapse in support unlike other orthotics. With Sole Supports weight and activity based calibration system, the orthotic will assist (not stop) the biomechanics of the foot within the running shoe. What it won't do is offer a lapse in support/contact resulting in impact friction between the foot and the device. Sole Supports orthotics are not only custom made to your foot but can also be custom cut to whatever style running shoe you choose.
The Sole Supports orthotic creates the ultimate posture for the runner's foot inside the shoe, without any wasted movement. This ideal posture allows the athlete to function efficiently resulting in proper form throughout the kinetic chain. Again, Sole Supports offers a full contact and weight calibrated orthotic in every phase of the runner's motion.
What also must not be forgotten is that while the athlete hones their skills and physically stresses their body while on the road, track, trail or during cross training, improvement comes during the rest cycles. When the athlete is not practicing, they are resting. Perfect posture during the rest period leads to proper function and form throughout the kinetic chain. To enhance your athletes recovery and promote performance, be sure to check out our Pro Set for Maximum Performance.