Tennis Shoes Fit Guide

People have different types of feet and need different types of shoes to accommodate them. This goes for tennis shoes as well. If you have flat feet, tend to overpronate or pronate you need a shoe that will accommodate flat feet and give you the support in the areas that you need in order to get the best out of your specifically designed tennis shoes – click here for review.

What is Overpronated foot motion?

Overpronated refers to the fact that the foot and the ankle of the player does not stabilise the body properly. Pronation is the inward movement of the foot as it distributes the force of impact on the ground. If this natural roll does not occur properly then it can cause either under or over pronation. If somebody overpronates, the outside of their heel with make the initial contact with the ground normally, but once this impact has been made the foot tends to roll inward, and this is called overpronation.

There is then not enough stability for the body and the shock of the impact with the ground is not absorbed as efficiently as it should be. Overpronators tend to be people who have flat feet and low arches. The arch is what absorbs the impact and with the problems that your foot and ankle will have it puts all the pressure on your big and second toes instead of where it should be.

If you suffer from overpronation then you should look for a shoe for overpronation that offers neutral cushioning and will encourage a more natural foot motion.  Motion control shoes will control the pronation of the feet, ensuring that the outside part of your heel will make the initial contact with the surface and rectifying the problem of overpronation in your foot motion.

What is Pronation of the Foot?

Prnotation of the foot is the movement of the foot when you walk or run and make contact with the surface. The outside of your heel will make the initial contact with the surface and then the foot should roll about fifteen percent before it comes into complete contact with the ground. This movement of the foot or “roll” is what allows the foot to optimally distribute the body weight and act as a shock absorber when landing.

If you have a normal arch, do not have flat feet, then you are most likely a normal pronator, which means you do not need motion control footwear to stabilise your body as you walk or run. You will opt for a shoe that is classed as a stability shoe which will offer only moderate pronation control.

What is the Difference Between Pronation and Supination?

Supination is also known as under-pronation. This is when the foot rolls outward when walking or running. Usually the foot will naturally supinate when pushing off or running as the heel is lifted off the ground and the toes and forefeet are used to propel you forward. However is you do not have a natural pronation, you could find that you are experiencing both pain and fatigue in your feet when playing tennis or just walking. Pronation is the natural way the foot controls the stability of the body.

It allows the foot to evenly distribute the weight of the impact with the surface you are walking on and acts as a shock absorber. Supination is when your foot under-pronates or rolls outwards on impact, and it cannot distribute the impact evenly leading to foot and ankle problems. Supination is the complete opposite of pronation as the foot rolls outward instead of the desired 15 percent inward for normal pronation to take place. If you suffer from this, the right shoes for supination can make all the difference.

Can you play Tennis in Running Shoes?

Yes you can play tennis in running shoes, however you will not be able to perform as well on the court as you would with specifically designed tennis shoes. There are profound differences between tennis and running shoes. Running shoes are designed to be able to support the foot in a forward motion only.  It is specifically designed to give comfort to the sides of the feet and to allow the toes to push you off and does not offer as much support in the heels as it does in the toe area.

The inner soles are also designed to give you the support and stability you need when running. Tennis on the other had requires a lot of different support. You require a shoe that offers the stability to allow your foot to push-off, stop, turn and pivot as well as absorb the impact from jumping. Tennis shoes also need the kind of traction that is required to be able to make fast stops and turns.

When playing tennis you need a shoe that keeps your foot secure and stable. Tennis shoes have specific grips on their soles to give you the traction you need on the courts. Running and tennis shoes both offer the flexibility and breathability that you need when you run or play, however running shoes are a little more lightweight than your average tennis shoes.

So yes you can play tennis in running shoes, however you will find that your feet will get sore and fatigued a lot quicker than if you select a specific shoe designed for tennis. Just as when you are going to be playing soccer, football or any other sport, playing in a shoe that is designed for the sport is the best thing you can do for your feet and for your game.

Conclusion

Having the correct pair of shoes that allows you to reach your potential on the court is vital to your success. The right fit and design will help your feet to remain comfortable and supported on the court as well as keeping you stable. Over or under pronation can cause pain and fatigue, playing in shoes other an those designed specifically for tennis means you will not get the traction and stability you need to succeed on court.