Understanding Foot Strike: Does It Impact Injury or Performance?

Understanding Foot Strike: Does It Impact Injury or Performance?

From Tread Lightly Running Podcast by Amanda Brooks and Laura Norris

June 13, 2026 · 32 min · Episode 171

About this episode

This episode discusses the role of pronation in running and its implications for injury and performance.

Pronation can be misunderstood as a scary, dangerous risk for injury - and people use that to sell you something. In reality, a certain degree of pronation is a normal part of the running gait. However, excessive or limited pronation can be problematic for some runners. So how do you know if you need to worry about overpronation or buy stability shoes? In episode 171, we take an evidence-based approach and guide you through anatomy and recent research surrounding pronation. Thank you to our sponsors: ✨ Good Ranchers: American-grown meat, delivered frozen to your doorstep. Use code IRON for $40 off the first order, or $100 off across the first three orders when customers start a subscription. Plus free protein with every order (choice of burgers, bacon, or chicken breasts). Be sure to mention “Tread Lightly Podcast” for how you heard about the company! https://www.goodranchers.com/ In this episode, you’ll learn: ✅ Why pronation is a normal part of a healthy running gait ✅ If stability shoes are appropriate for you or not ✅ Whether pronation causes an injury or is a symptom of an injury ✅ Should you change your running gait? ✅ The difference between overstriding and heel striking ✅…

People in this episode

Hosts: Amanda Brooks, Laura Norris

Topics covered

  • foot strike
  • pronation
  • running gait
  • injury prevention
  • stability shoes
  • running performance

Keywords

  • pronation
  • running gait
  • stability shoes
  • overpronation
  • injury risk
  • running cadence

Sponsors

Good Ranchers

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Dr. Lisa Mitro

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