Pronation is a process that our foot performs during weightbearing (standing or walking), where the arch falls immediately after our heel contacts the floor. Pronation often gets a bad rap. For example, many shoes advertise that they prevent
pronation, however, pronation is very important. Our foot acts as a shock absorber as it accepts the force of the ground against our body weight. What is of greater importance is what happens next. After pronation occurs, our leg rotates inward (internal rotation), which causes our hip muscle to “fire” (contract). This allows our hip to control the rest of our body back down to the foot and up to our neck and shoulders as we perform all activities in weightbearing. So, overpronation is not good, nor is lack of pronation because these conditions can significantly impair our body mechanics.
~ Peter St.Germain, PT