Editing Foot (section)

==Pronation==
{{Main|Pronation of the foot}}
In anatomy, [[pronation]] is a rotational movement of the forearm (at the radioulnar joint) or foot (at the subtalar and talocalcaneonavicular joints). Pronation of the foot refers to how the body distributes weight as it cycles through the [[gait]]. During the gait cycle the foot can pronate in many different ways based on rearfoot and forefoot function. Types of pronation include neutral pronation, underpronation (supination), and overpronation.

===Neutral pronation===
An individual who neutrally pronates initially strikes the ground on the [[Human Anatomical Terms#Anatomical directions|lateral]] side of the [[heel]]. As the individual transfers weight from the heel to the [[metatarsus]], the foot will roll in a [[Human Anatomical Terms#Anatomical directions|medial]] direction, such that the weight is distributed evenly across the metatarsus. In this stage of the gait, the [[knee]] will generally, but not always, track directly over the [[Toe#Hallux|hallux]].

This rolling inward motion as the foot progresses from heel to toe is the way that the body naturally absorbs shock. Neutral pronation is the most ideal, efficient type of gait when using a [[heel strike (gait)|heel strike]] gait; in a forefoot strike, the body absorbs shock instead via flexion of the foot.

===Overpronation===
As with a neutral pronator, an individual who overpronates initially strikes the ground on the lateral side of the heel. As the individual transfers weight from the heel to the metatarsus, however, the foot will roll too far in a medial direction, such that the weight is distributed unevenly across the metatarsus, with excessive weight borne on the [[Toe#Hallux|hallux]]. In this stage of the gait, the knee will generally, but not always, track inward.

An overpronator does not absorb shock efficiently. Imagine someone jumping onto a diving board, but the board is so flimsy that when it is struck, it bends and allows the person to plunge straight down into the water instead of back into the air. Similarly, an overpronator's arches will collapse, or the ankles will roll inward (or a combination of the two) as they cycle through the gait. An individual whose bone structure involves [[external rotation]] at the [[hip]], knee, or [[ankle]] will be more likely to overpronate than one whose bone structure has [[internal rotation]] or central alignment. An individual who overpronates tends to wear down their running shoes on the medial (inside) side of the shoe toward the toe area.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.runnersworld.com/gear/a20806396/learn-what-overpronating-your-foot-means/ |work=Runner's World |date=21 September 2001 |title=Overpronation, Explained |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref>

When choosing a running or walking shoe, a person with overpronation can choose shoes that have good inside support—usually by strong material at the inside sole and arch of the shoe. It is usually visible. The inside support area is marked by strong greyish material to support the weight when a person lands on the outside foot and then roll onto the inside foot.

===Underpronation (supination)===
[[File:Underpronation.jpg|thumb|Underpronation of foot]]

An individual who underpronates also initially strikes the ground on the lateral side of the heel. As the individual transfers weight from the heel to the metatarsus, the foot will not roll far enough in a medial direction. The weight is distributed unevenly across the metatarsus, with excessive weight borne on the [[fifth metatarsal]], toward the lateral side of the foot. In this stage of the gait, the knee will generally, but not always, track laterally of the [[Toe#Hallux|hallux]].

Like an overpronator, an underpronator does not absorb shock efficiently, but for the opposite reason. The underpronated foot is like a diving board that, instead of failing to spring someone in the air because it is too flimsy, fails to do so because it is too rigid. There is virtually no give. An underpronator's arches or ankles do not experience much motion as they cycle through the gait. An individual whose bone structure involves [[internal rotation]] at the hip, knee, or ankle will be more likely to underpronate than one whose bone structure has external rotation or central alignment. Usually – but not always – those who are [[bow-legged]] tend to underpronate.{{Citation needed|reason=some sources say instead that those who are bow-legged tend to overpronate|date=November 2013}} An individual who underpronates tends to wear down their running shoes on the lateral (outside) side of the shoe toward the rear of the shoe in the heel area.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://runnersworld.com/gear/a20797596/learn-what-supinating-your-foot-means/ |work=Runner's World |date=21 September 2001 |title=Supination, Explained |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130917160412/http://www.runnersworld.com/running-shoes/supination-explained?page=single |archive-date=17 September 2013}}</ref>