Pronation is the inward rotation of the forearm and foot. This is an opposite movement to supination.
What is pronation?
Pronation is the inward rotation of the forearm or foot. This is a countermovement to supination. In medicine and anatomy, the term pronation is used to describe certain movements of limbs such as the forearm and foot. The term originates from Latin. In German, pronation means “to turn forward” or “to bend forward”. Supination is an opposite movement to pronation. A distinction is made between pronation of the hand or forearm and pronation of the foot.
Function and task
The ulna (ulna) and radius (radius) bones are important for pronation of the forearm. If a pronation movement of the forearm occurs, the arm is rotated in the internal direction. If the arm is extended and the palm of the hand is pointing upwards, a rotation occurs that causes the palm to point downwards while the thumb moves in the direction of the body. In the course of this movement, rotation of the hand and forearm occurs. The pronation of the forearm is made possible by the respective forearm muscles. Their insertion or origin can be found at the radius and ulna. The muscles in question are the brachioradialis muscle (radius of the upper arm), the pronator teres muscle (round inward rotator) and the pronator quadratus muscle (square inward rotator). In addition, the articulatio radioulnaris distalis and articulatio radioulnaris proximalis joints also play a part in the movement process. Pronation also plays an important role at the foot, where it occurs at the ankle joint. Immediately after the foot hits the ground, it rotates inward. In this sequence, the outside of the foot moves in the upward direction, while the middle side of the foot points downward. No movement occurs at the heel. This causes the foot to bend in the inward direction. The muscles involved in pronation of the foot include the extensor digitorum longus muscle (long toe extensor), the peroneus brevis muscle (short fibula muscle), and the peroneus longus muscle (long fibula muscle). The latter two muscles are the main muscles of foot pronation. Superimposed on the pronation of the foot is dorsal extension (movement toward the dorsum of the foot) as well as abduction (spreading of the leg). This can be traced back to the position of the axis of motion of the lower ankle joint. If the three movements of dorsiflexion, abduction and pronation are superimposed, this is referred to as eversion. Pronation provides damping of the foot movements and represents a natural movement in the inner direction. Pronation plays an important role in running. Thus, manufacturers of running shoes make different models suitable for neutral-foot runners, supinators and overpronators.
Diseases and ailments
Pronation can have a negative effect under certain circumstances. In such cases, there is talk of overpronation. In this case, there is an incorrect load on the foot during running. If the foot turns inward during the rolling movement, this is not a problem and is considered normal. However, if the load on the inner sole is more intense than the load on the outer sole, this is overpronation. This can sometimes lead to severe discomfort in the tendons and knees, which is especially true for running athletes. Overpronation is usually caused by a congenital flat or bent foot. In this case, the outer edge of the foot is slightly raised, while the inner edge of the foot is slightly lowered. Reasons for this malposition are foot muscle insufficiency and a weak ligamentous apparatus. It is not uncommon for running athletes who have knock knees to also have a tendency to overpronate. Since most women have a wider pelvic position, overpronation is more common in them on average. Other possible causes include flat feet, obesity and intense fatigue. It is not uncommon for runners to suffer from overpronation who have just started running and whose supporting apparatus has been insufficiently trained. Overpronation of the foot can be recognized by a strong wear of the shoes on the inside, which is especially true for the area of the big toe.Another possible malposition, which occurs much less frequently than overpronation, is underpronation. Experts also refer to it as supination. In this case, the load does not lead in the inner direction, but in the opposite direction to the outside. Thus, supinators tend to roll outward when running. Underpronation can be seen in higher wear and tear on the outside of the running shoe. A possible cause of underpronation is a hollow foot. This causes an increased weight load on the outer instep of the foot. As a result, there is an increased risk of tendon and periosteum inflammation. If overpronation is present, there are ways to effectively counteract the malposition. These include the insertion of special pronation supports that reduce inward rolling. However, the natural pronation should not suffer under the pronation support. Numerous manufacturers of running shoes now offer a wide range of suitable models. However, if there is severe overpronation, it is recommended to wear an insole that is custom-made by an orthopedist. Treatment of the causes of overpronation is also possible. For this purpose, the affected person specifically trains their foot and calf muscles to strengthen them. In addition, the running technique should be improved through professional training.
