Why Every Athlete Should Care About Proper Foot Mechanics

Athletes usually don’t think about what their feet are doing while in the middle of a big game or deep in a training program. However, it should be at the top of your mind if you want to perform your best and avoid injury.

You probably spend little time thinking about your feet when you're an athlete unless you have a painful blister. However, they can leave you on the sidelines when ignored.

And we’re not even talking about traumatic injuries.

Instead, your foot mechanics can affect your performance and increase your risk of problems.

Fortunately, we can address the issue.

Dr. Hai-En Peng offers sports medicine services at Align Foot & Ankle Center in Camarillo, California. This subspecialty helps us diagnose, treat, and prevent activity-related injuries.

Are you an athlete? Here’s why you should care about proper foot mechanics.

Foot mechanic basics

The foot contains more than 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments, as well as numerous arteries and nerves.

This complex anatomy allows your feet to bear all of your body weight and remain balanced — all while walking, running, dancing, or making any other movement.

However, this delicate balance can also be easily thrown off. When that occurs, it impacts stability, balance, and propulsion.

The study of this phenomenon is known as foot mechanics, and Dr. Peng uses it to determine how the feet influence the body during physical activity.

Athletes and proper foot mechanics

Several things can throw off your foot mechanics, ranging from arch height and bunions to ingrown toenails and hammertoes.

Basically, anything that changes how your feet support your body and move influences your foot mechanics.

Unfortunately, when an athlete has poor foot mechanics, it can adversely affect balance, stability, and alignment. Furthermore, it also changes weight distribution, which increases the risk of injury and negatively impacts performance.

Fortunately, a sports medicine expert like Dr. Peng can identify and correct problems with your foot mechanics. This approach protects the feet and helps athletes excel in their sport or favorite activity.

Sports medicine and foot mechanics

Dr. Peng can assess your foot mechanics during an appointment. If you engage in physical activity regularly, he recommends scheduling a visit before issues arise. This approach offers the best chances at prevention — and that keeps you active without any downtime.

Depending on your specific issue, there are several ways to correct poor foot mechanics. For instance, Dr. Peng might recommend custom orthotics.

Unlike over-the-counter inserts produced for the general population, custom-made solutions get made just for you. That ensures they address any structural issues and restore alignment and support where you need it.

Additional advantages of custom orthotics include:

Improved shock absorption and energy transfer
Enhanced pressure distribution
Increased motion control
Decreased fatigue
A more controlled gait

This targeted approach reduces unnecessary strain on your feet, lowers your risk of overuse injuries, and enhances athletic performance.

Dr. Peng can also offer treatment strategies to address issues contributing to poor foot mechanics, like sports injuries, plantar fasciitis, or toe arthritis.

Are your foot mechanics affecting your athletic performance? Contact Align Foot & Ankle Center in Camarillo, California, to schedule a sports medicine consultation today.