Is it true that flat footed people are faster than people with the normal arch?
If it is then should I run without inserts (i.e. barefooted, or no inserts in the shoes) since I’m naturally flat footed.
I have never heard anything like that before, quite the opposite actually. Flat footed people are usually slower from my experience, at least I can safely say that no flat-footed person has ever beat me in a sprint!
I have had a podiatrist tell me that high arches are actually ideal for sprinters.
I thought the same as you guys then I read some stuff like this:
http://www.drmirkin.com/fitness/9883.html
and this
Bones, muscles, and tendons under the foot create an arch in most people.
Some people, however, are born with “fallen arches,” or flat feet. Contrary
to popular belief, flat feet are not a problem for athletes. In fact, flat feet
usually are more flexible, have greater range of motion, and are better able
to absorb the shock of running and jumping.It is the athletes with high arches who are more injury-prone. An unusually
high-arched foot is more rigid and has less range of motion during quick,
agile movements. Also, a foot that’s precariously balanced on the heel and
ball has poor shock-absorbing ability.
Please note that the article you quoted above never once said that they are “faster”
You have to be careful when inferring. I may be wrong but Since not the entire foot, but rather the “ball” of the foot, does all the ground contact when sprinting, the advantages mentioned in the article would not be relevant. It would only be relevant for people who run “flat” instead of on the “ball” of their feet, and when hitting the ground after a jump.
You have to really analyze these articles and check their relevance to the actual action being done in “sprinting”
As a podiatrist, I would say that in my experience, “flat footed” (which is a subjective term) individuals are faster. I believe it may have to do with the increased tension of the Achilles tendon, causing an increased kinetic energy during dynamic motion. I have never seen a “high arched” sprinter. I believe they can not absorb high impact well, before they “break down” physically. Just some observations I have noticed. Perhaps I should do a study…
Why the jump from flat footed to high arched? I consider myself none of these, im more of a middle ground, slightly arched.
Everyone is born with flat and everted feet (as well as a C shaped spine etc.), but that doesn’t mean that it should persist when you grow up. If it does however the muscles aren’t getting enough work and injuries will follow.
Overly high arches are no better for that matter. There is plenty of research done which links low and high arches to increased risk of injuries. Comparing office workers and athletes with flat feet is a bit ridiculous too. I mean you are not going to get your feet hurt by sitting all day.
The first one does:
Flat feet can help you run fast. Rolling inward more than other people causes your feet to hit the ground harder which pushes you forward faster. Since flat feet help you run faster and does not increase your risk for foot pain or injury, people with flat feet should not be treated with special inserts unless they have injuries or pain. If your flat feet bother you, check with a podiatrist.
flat footed people are not faster, and its not ideal. When i was in college, and dance teacher told me ive got a dancers foot, High Arches.
Women tend to have high arches, and its better.
Instead of plank feet.
Better helps, runing on the balls of your feet.
My bad, I didnt bother to read the first article that the link lead to, only the one you quoted.
But I still stick with what I said, the benifits listed in the first article still doesnt have any relevance if the athlete runs on the ball of this foot, which most sprinters do.
Half of the sprinters in our team are flat footed. And our top sprinter (pretty darn fast…!!) has boards for feet 
Just an observation…
well i dont hink that a flat foot or a really high arch help in my noticing of athletes like myself and all the good ones that im around we all have some sort of a arch…thats it…
flat feet interest me greatly as im tremendously flat footed. I have virtually no arch on my feet im duck flat flat as can be. Yet i can hang with sprinters although im fairly new one myself. What limits me is dorsiflexion where everybody can dorsiflex standing up like a ballerina…I cant do that im limited to how much i dorsiflex. But i still have enough ROM to generate lots of power from my achilles, but my calves are’nt super developed like many sprinters so my day will come.
how can somebody dorsiflex while standing “like a ballerina”? That is completely contradictory, unless I have a misunderstanding of dorsiflexion/plantarflexion.
i read it the same way as you. i think you’ve got the correct idea on dorsi flexion no one can dorsiflex like a ballerina, that just doesn’t make sense.
As a podiatrist, I would say that in my experience, “flat footed” (which is a subjective term) individuals are faster. I believe it may have to do with the increased tension of the Achilles tendon, causing an increased kinetic energy during dynamic motion. I have never seen a “high arched” sprinter.
Are the flat feet a result of structural or postural issues? It could be that a slight anterior pelvic tilt is causing pronation. I surely have never seen anyone with a posterior pelvic tilt run fast and they often have supinated feet.
But anway, I do recall a study from not long ago (can’t remember where I found it), that flat footed people were found to be faster on avg.
i have massive anterior pelvic tilt, and flat feet like i mentioned i also should be pronating but i supinate when i run and walk, even though everybody sees that i supinate the wearing out of my shoes is on the outer part meaning i put pressure on the outsides soles of my foot. Its strange i tell ya
davan i meant plantar flexion, when raising the heels upwards, im limited compared to most ppl with normal arches i dont have a high degree of plantar flexion but i have enough to give me some amount of push