Pronation

Also known as: overpronation, supination, underpronation

The natural inward roll of the foot from landing through midstance, which helps absorb impact.

Why it matters

Pronation became a marketing term for shoe categories, but the evidence shows it should be judged alongside hip and knee mechanics, not treated as a standalone flaw fixed by footwear.

What it means

Some pronation is normal and helps absorb shock. Excessive pronation (overpronation) and insufficient pronation (supination) are gait deviations that should be assessed alongside hip drop and knee valgus, not in isolation. Motion-control shoes marketed to "fix" overpronation have not been shown to reduce injury risk in controlled trials — hip and glute strength work is usually the more effective intervention.