Are you flat-footed?

[tanta58]

The way to cure it is to walk straight, sleep straight, sit up straight, and do everything with your back straight. The many reasons why people are flat-footed is because their feet carry too much weight. Needless to say, your feet will squash up into a pancake if you put too much pressure on it. It really affects your performance in badminton if you're flat-footed, not that a flat-footed person would be bad at it but after training or a match they will find that their feet ache. When I was a novice at badminton, I feet were swollen during my first week. XD

:eek::eek::eek: R u serious......i tod tat ppl r flat feet,becoz dey r born flat feeted:p i've nvr heard of dis reason b4 :rolleyes: Quite intresting thx (::D:D

[Ruth-Less]

:eek::eek::eek: R u serious......i tod tat ppl r flat feet,becoz dey r born flat feeted:p i've nvr heard of dis reason b4 :rolleyes: Quite intresting thx (::D:D

You're welcome. :) Plus, if you walk with your toes supporting you, that would prevent future back-problems like Athritis. Be sure to walk in a straight line and keep your back arched. :)

[phaaam]

I heard the Chinese team pick youngsters with arched feet from like age 3-5 and start training then. One of the commentators mentioned it so I don't know.

[BennyC]

I'm flat footed as well and i had these pains near my ankles, probabaly frm all the pressure when i lunge but in anycase, after playing..i'll hurt for a while.

My solution:

After consulting Sir Dinkalots review on Superfeet i thought id give it a try ( green performance ones) and after 3 sessions, my pain was no more. I believe not only does there insole work wonders but because it has a stiff arch, it forces my feet to arch a little while im playing which makes me balance better and not put as much pressure on my feet.

Superfeet was a miracle for me =)

[K4mu1]

Flat feet (also called pes planus or fallen arches) is an informal reference to a medical condition in which the arch (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arch_%28foot%29) of the foot collapses, with the entire sole (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sole_%28foot%29) of the foot coming into complete or near-complete contact with the ground. In some individuals (an estimated 20–30% of the general population) the arch simply never develops in one foot (unilaterally) or both feet (bilaterally). It should be noted that being flatfooted does not decrease footspeed (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Footspeed); having flat feet does not affect one's response to the plantar reflex (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plantar_reflex) test.

Source : Wikipedia


Well... this should help ending the disputes xD... Sorry if this is another duplicate response... Right now I don't have the time to read through all of those 15 pages xD...

[Ruth-Less]

I'm flat footed as well and i had these pains near my ankles, probabaly frm all the pressure when i lunge but in anycase, after playing..i'll hurt for a while.

My solution:

After consulting Sir Dinkalots review on Superfeet i thought id give it a try ( green performance ones) and after 3 sessions, my pain was no more. I believe not only does there insole work wonders but because it has a stiff arch, it forces my feet to arch a little while im playing which makes me balance better and not put as much pressure on my feet.

Superfeet was a miracle for me =)

Ooh, I did a program similar to that, it was called "Good-Arch."

[bradmyster]

you guys do know if u are flat footed u can actually fix it.
its not too diffuclt to restructure or rebuild the arch of your foot. its like getting your muscles bigger and reshaping your body..just takes time and effort.

#1 get shoes for everyday where which have fantastic arch support or get orthodics from your doctors. (orthodics are inserts which give you big arch support for your shoes)

#2 if you are using any shoes without good arch support purchase orthodics so that there is never a time when you will have no arch support except for thongs sandles etc.

#3 do various excersises such as.....get aphone book..lay it flat and stand on the edge of it so its kind of curling under the arch of your foot. and curl your foot as much as u can and hold for up to a minute at a time...do this for 10 minutes each night...overtime your arch will reshape...

but i must warn u it is quite a painful process. and does take a long time..but its worth it in the end....flat feet are very bad for you in lots of different ways...and in badminton it will not help you 1 bit.

[Krisna]

41+% of the voters in BC are flat-footed? Well... this does not necessarily mean 41% of badminton players are flat-footed. It just starts the suspicion that many of the flat-footed people are members of BC who mainly just comment/argue/analyze badminton instead of becoming top-notch badminton players in the courts. :D

[phandrew]

The main question for all flat feet people. Is your flat feet structural or functional?

Structural - the angles of the bones in the feet are lower than what it should be
Functional - something else other than bone such as soft tissue causing the arch not to appear.

My flat feet are functional.

[green.blood]

you guys do know if u are flat footed u can actually fix it.
its not too diffuclt to restructure or rebuild the arch of your foot. its like getting your muscles bigger and reshaping your body..just takes time and effort.

#1 get shoes for everyday where which have fantastic arch support or get orthodics from your doctors. (orthodics are inserts which give you big arch support for your shoes)

#2 if you are using any shoes without good arch support purchase orthodics so that there is never a time when you will have no arch support except for thongs sandles etc.

#3 do various excersises such as.....get aphone book..lay it flat and stand on the edge of it so its kind of curling under the arch of your foot. and curl your foot as much as u can and hold for up to a minute at a time...do this for 10 minutes each night...overtime your arch will reshape...

but i must warn u it is quite a painful process. and does take a long time..but its worth it in the end....flat feet are very bad for you in lots of different ways...and in badminton it will not help you 1 bit.

I don't think a flat foot can be cured. I'm born flat footed and it has been like that even after i tried various types of orthotics.

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii63/fadlyyazid/footscan.jpg

Recently somebody told me about custom orthotics so I pay a visit to the mentioned 'foot' shop. They measured size and width. Mine was size 11.5 (US) and 4E width. Is there any 4E wide court shoes available? :crying: There are also a foot scanner (the results as attached, I was standing more to my left though :) both are the same actually) to check for load distribution and a digitizer to take the foot shape. Later they'll put it in a software which will come out with the insole design that you need for your foot. The insoles are not those sold in the market but it will be custom made to suit your feet. You can also choose the material you prefer. The insoles can last up to 5 years of constant use according to the shop's orthotics expert.

I haven't got mine yet as it takes about a week to make the insole, maybe this Thursday it will be ready. Can't wait to try it.

So far it is the best thing I can do to solve my foot problems. It costs me close to the price of an ARC 10 but I think it is going to be worthwhile...

[phandrew]

If you are trying to buy custom othortics then you have to go to a clinic to buy them not at a shop. Since you have wide feet you should have a look at SHB91 and the SHB200.

[weinsteinium]

I don't think a flat foot can be cured. I'm born flat footed and it has been like that even after i tried various types of orthotics.

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii63/fadlyyazid/footscan.jpg

Recently somebody told me about custom orthotics so I pay a visit to the mentioned 'foot' shop. They measured size and width. Mine was size 11.5 (US) and 4E width. Is there any 4E wide court shoes available? :crying: There are also a foot scanner (the results as attached, I was standing more to my left though :) both are the same actually) to check for load distribution and a digitizer to take the foot shape. Later they'll put it in a software which will come out with the insole design that you need for your foot. The insoles are not those sold in the market but it will be custom made to suit your feet. You can also choose the material you prefer. The insoles can last up to 5 years of constant use according to the shop's orthotics expert.

I haven't got mine yet as it takes about a week to make the insole, maybe this Thursday it will be ready. Can't wait to try it.

So far it is the best thing I can do to solve my foot problems. It costs me close to the price of an ARC 10 but I think it is going to be worthwhile...

The New Balance CT653GM comes in a 4E width. I think that it's discontinued but you can still find it around online. It's not specifically a badminton shoe, it's really an indoor tennis shoe. But hey a shoe that fits is better than a badminton specific shoe you can't wear.

[green.blood]

If you are trying to buy custom othortics then you have to go to a clinic to buy them not at a shop. Since you have wide feet you should have a look at SHB91 and the SHB200.

The shop has an orthotics specialist. Most doctors I went to see would only reccomend certain brand of shoes or insoles. None has really worked so far.

[green.blood]

The New Balance CT653GM comes in a 4E width. I think that it's discontinued but you can still find it around online. It's not specifically a badminton shoe, it's really an indoor tennis shoe. But hey a shoe that fits is better than a badminton specific shoe you can't wear.

Currently I'm using NB indoor shoes as well but as you said they're hard to find.

[Cheung]

you guys do know if u are flat footed u can actually fix it.
its not too diffuclt to restructure or rebuild the arch of your foot. its like getting your muscles bigger and reshaping your body..just takes time and effort.

#1 get shoes for everyday where which have fantastic arch support or get orthodics from your doctors. (orthodics are inserts which give you big arch support for your shoes)

#2 if you are using any shoes without good arch support purchase orthodics so that there is never a time when you will have no arch support except for thongs sandles etc.

#3 do various excersises such as.....get aphone book..lay it flat and stand on the edge of it so its kind of curling under the arch of your foot. and curl your foot as much as u can and hold for up to a minute at a time...do this for 10 minutes each night...overtime your arch will reshape...

but i must warn u it is quite a painful process. and does take a long time..but its worth it in the end....flat feet are very bad for you in lots of different ways...and in badminton it will not help you 1 bit.

Getting mine done as well.

[Gamerx]

Nope, i am not flat footed!
But it's amazing..,
42.02% of them are flat footed!:eek:
And only the remaining 57.98% are not..!

[weinsteinium]

Currently I'm using NB indoor shoes as well but as you said they're hard to find.

Maybe they are back in production, when I looked around, www.racquetballwarehouse.com had them back in stock. I don't know if they ship to the attic :D but I bought shoes from them before (and more importantly returned shoes without any hassle) and they are a great place to buy indoor court shoes in the US.

[phandrew]

I tried a bit of muscle tape on the base of the foot to left up the arch and support the foot and there was quite a bit of improvement in my movement. Just make sure you apply it right because if you do it wrong you are more likely to do worse than good.

[_chiem]

the only problem i have is the fact that every once in a while the good ol' feet begin to get sore and hurt but then again who doesnt that happen to :)

[green.blood]

Maybe they are back in production, when I looked around, www.racquetballwarehouse.com (http://www.racquetballwarehouse.com) had them back in stock. I don't know if they ship to the attic :D but I bought shoes from them before (and more importantly returned shoes without any hassle) and they are a great place to buy indoor court shoes in the US.

Got myself a NB 654... similar to 653 i guess. The custom insoles are great. Less strain to my calf and my movements improved. The foot pain reduces significantly. No more 'limping' after the games or the next morning... :D

[wooky]

So badly
Sometimes it hurts after running and long distant walking
But flat foot is kind of showing unique because not many people have that.
I heard that it can be changed to normal foot by exercising and running or
jogging alot.

[weinsteinium]

Got myself a NB 654... similar to 653 i guess. The custom insoles are great. Less strain to my calf and my movements improved. The foot pain reduces significantly. No more 'limping' after the games or the next morning... :D

If you like the 654, you should check out the 653. It looks like the same shoe, but it has a gum rubber sole that should be better for indoor courts.

And the sole lasted really long. After 6 months there was no visible wear.

[Nate_12]

I believe that the reason people are flat footed are because they haven’t or need work on their footwork.

[phandrew]

I believe that the reason people are flat footed are because they haven’t or need work on their footwork.

What do you mean by this?:confused::confused:

[Nate_12]

Ask yourself this. What's wrong with being flat footed?? Basically your just not there in time? or that your i guess coming in too late.
Now if you work on your footwork, you could improve and possibly even get out of that habit.
We were all once there and have past experiences of this.
So I guess this was mine.

[phandrew]

Flat feet gives you less stability than that of a normal foot.

[weinsteinium]

Ask yourself this. What's wrong with being flat footed?? Basically your just not there in time? or that your i guess coming in too late.
Now if you work on your footwork, you could improve and possibly even get out of that habit.
We were all once there and have past experiences of this.
So I guess this was mine.

It seems to me that you are talking about being out of position, "being caught flat footed" and they are talking about a medical condition where your foot has almost no arch.

[waiwai8]

i guess it does disadvantage you to a lesser extent. btw im talking about the shallow arch i have, not being caught flat footed.

flat footedness means less stability and being slightly slower in lunging for a shot.

this may mean that one has to work harder to get to the same shot hence more energy expended, this is worse for those who are heavier; extra fatigue.

i wear indoor trainers with extra arch support (asics) and put in specialist shock absorption insoles (sorbothane) to lessen the fatigue i feel when playing.

does ayone have any special advice for those with flat feet in terms of playing and footwear?

thanks

wai

[Monster]

Just wondering if any of the flatfooters here have typical areas of your shoe soles that tend to wear out faster than a normal footer?

[Sevex]

On my running shoes the outside heel. Badminton isn't affected as much as it's more stay on your toes. Although having just looked at my old shoes they're still more worn on the outside heel as well. Being flat footed causes overpronation, hence the increased wear on the outside of the heel.

[Every Avenue]

Ok so ive been flat footed all my life and i could never understand why my i would get re-occuring ankle sprains and why my knee kept on hurting or either why i was so bad at balancing and long jump.
I found out late last year since i visited a physio, since all of the doctors ive visted couldnt detect the problem i have.
so I got prescribed Custom othotics and continued to play badminton.
during sessions my knee pain will start to accumulate and i would have to sit out.
I also find that i am not be able to turn and sashay around the court fast enough.
I hate these disadvantages, and i am glad that i'm not the only one.

[Gemcat]

I'm flat footed but I find that if I wear sport socks (The ones where they have elastic cotton to tide your mid-foot and extra cushioning), it feels and fits very nicely inside badminton shoes. But my feets are pretty sweaty... Anyway to counter that?

[springsoles]

I play with a bloke who is flatfooted and it doesn't seem to be much of a problem for him. We both started around the same time and we are of similar skill now.

I guess it's like anything, if you are naturally gifted there isn't much that can hold you back.

[gamepurpose]

I always thought this thread asking when you play badminton, are you a flat foot or not. And I always thought the definition for flat-foot is whenever the bird is on the other side, you'll tend to relax and just flat your foot on the ground. Instead of the hill being off the ground so you have a better reaction and shorter time to take off from your spot to the bird.
Because I was told that on your toe when playing. But of course, only when I'm in the mood of aggresive play. if not then yes I am a flat foot player.

[waiwai8]

I'm flat footed but I find that if I wear sport socks (The ones where they have elastic cotton to tide your mid-foot and extra cushioning), it feels and fits very nicely inside badminton shoes. But my feets are pretty sweaty... Anyway to counter that?

u can also try sorbothane insoles to help absorb impact and wear nike dri fit socks to reduce sweating

[ah_lee_ba_ba]

Just read a runnning shoe magazine and come across such a website about choosing shoe. Very informative where it shows the pronation type.
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-240-319-327-7727-0,00.html
Generally speaking, it acts about the same way. After some reading, you will find that basically indoor shoes are good for gripping on the floor, allows more friction thus allows us to have more control. However, because manufacturer, generally speaking produces 'mass-volume' for average majority, thus the insole is suitable for neutral foot sole, not a good insole for flat-footed or over-arching foot. My recommendation is that, replace the insole which suited your foot best. You feet will find having a better grip on the floor, as well as comfortable feeling from the insole.
Yes, I read some readers has blisters or some 'toe'-free rooms when wearing shoes. Just dont wear thin socks. Choose a shoe which suits your feet more, if you have broader size in the front of your feet, you can choose brands that has broader size, like brooks. Just to share some experience. :)

[SibugiChai]

I heard that some adidas shops do helps client to check for suitabilty !

[Avnish]

haha im flat footed but am in z national tean......muahahhahahhahahahahhahhah

http://images.google.mu/imgres?imgurl=http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NpRums9accQ/SLkDqOpEEoI/AAAAAAAAA5I/gygpVfwEmeA/s400/laughingman.jpg&imgrefurl=http://ladyjacquelineofkingsdale.blogspot.com/2008/08/are-you-having-laugh.html&usg=__QamhF2F-pQpS_Mv9bSEwA0255yE=&h=394&w=400&sz=34&hl=en&start=1&tbnid=-PtA0Vka2z47DM:&tbnh=122&tbnw=124&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dlaughing%2Bloud%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%2 6sa%3DG

[ghooga]

I'm flat-footed but that hasn't stopped me in any sports (badminton, soccer, basketball, etc) . I'm faster and more agile than most of my peers. In badminton, I don't step fully on my feet. I move around on my front soles most of the time. Thus, the front of my shoes' outsoles wear out most of the time. I think one's athlete is more important than anything else. I run on the treadmill 4 to 5 times a week, spending at least 45 mins each time, running at least 5 miles.

[Addict123]

I'm not flatfooted, but I use Finger Shoes for a while now (for running and leisure time, not for Badminton - I tried, but the blisters are too awful).

Anyhow. If you read forums on those "shoes" (they aren't really shoes), one recurring theme is often that for flat-footed people, the additional work the foot has to deliver tends to cure or at least improve flat-footedness after a while (months, I assume).

I love them for running - since I do, I notice muscles in places I never noticed before (calves, feet...); and you automatically adopt a forward stance (on the ball of the foot instead of the heel). Since I use them, I've definitely become much quicker in Badminton as well, since I never ever get caught standing on my heels; standing/running on your balls in the ready position just gets second nature.

Has anyone here experience with them?

[Trmun]

You can't cure flat-footedness, as you can't remake the arch, so that forum fires off some BS...

On topic - I've actually got the opposite problem: my right foots arch is too high which means I've got less foot to stand on, resulting in my right foot always (even when I walk) being turned outwards.

I've been told numerous times that my footwork should suck because of it and that I shouldn't be able to play badminton since I've got asthma as well - but as someone else said; practice makes your overcome :)

[AurorAX]

No I'm glad that I'm not! :p

[geewhiz]

I am extremely flat footed. Sooo flat am I –
that when I get out of a swimming pool and walk around—the wet imprint of my foot is dry in the center
---yes—really. Wet all the way around the top, bottom, and sides---and dry in the center—both feet

--just like a plunger or suction cup-- now that is flat—Jack—
Wonder if I could walk straight up a wall?

Spider Man here I come---

Yet, at the same time, I have never experienced any problems with or with out shoes.
Fortunately I am very athletic and was
raised to be an athlete--- University Scholarship –
Played and coached Tennis at the College level-
---in Track—ran the 100 and Long Jump.

[geewhiz]

What I mean is--I don't believe my extreme flat "footed-ness" created any problems.
I have heard many people w/ high arches or fallen arches complain about shoes that don't fit and/or have problems w/ their feet. Luckily I can wear the cheapest, poorest fitting shoes and never experience any foot problems--oh, and I have asthma also-and
it has never stop my training.---So does this confuse the topic more??

[iamyours]

I'm a flat-footed person.. hehehehe...

[simplejoys]

i don't leave footprints in the sand... only toe prints and heels...

[midtownace]

I'm not sure how the whole flat footed arguement ties into everything, but atleast alot of it can be compensated by being in tip top shape

[dlsk07]

Pros and cons

http://www.chacha.com/question/what-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-having-flat-feet

[Match Reporter]

You can't cure flat-footedness, as you can't remake the arch, so that forum fires off some BS...
Actually - you can in the majority of cases. Whilst custom orthotics can give some remodelling of the foot if worn at a young age, increasingly used is a simple procedure called subtalor artheroesis or hypocure implant, which is a small stent fitted into the sinus tarsi process of the subtalor joint, which effectively prevents the excessive stresses caused by extreme range pronation from flattening the foot at mid-stance. The procedure has been used for 10+ years in the USA and UK with excellent results. We are performing these procedures on juvenille and paediatric flat foot as well as adult acquired flat foot - most recently on a 23 y/o olympic 400m hurdler with superb results!

[ilostmybrain]

Severely flat footed, my arch literally just caved in.....i got used to it, went from being the second worst player in elementary to the best doubles player in my current junior year in highschool, just saying, you will get used to it eventually, it took me errrrr, 4 years xP

[Saixx]

I am flat footed as well, severely actually. I have no arch whatsoever on my feet but it doesn't seem to affect me at all. I believe it's how you train and if your training is sufficient. My past coaches have taught me good footwork drills and even though I am flatfooted, I have much better court movement than most players at my club. If you think it matters a lot, then it's just your mental state saying that as an excuse to blame your low performance.
But of course, this is coming from someone who is only an intermediate regional level, not even provincial. So I guess in extreme circumstance, national and international players must surely be at a disadvatage compared to other solely based on how every little detail matters.

[C-man]

Hi there,

Do you mind telling me how old you were when you started wearing the Birkenstock sandals and subsequently noticed an arch develop? My girlfriend just bought me a pair, and my feet are so flat that they actually cut the skin. Reading your post however shed some hope. I'm 25, male, and hoping that if I push through the pain, I might actually get to wear them comfortably and maybe get some arch happening!

Thank you so much!!!!

[kr3w123]

Being flat-footed just means that the metatarsal on the instep of your foot has shifted down below neutral pulling the hallucis and tibialis muscle along with it. That's why the majority of overpronaters (act of your foot leaning inwards as you walk) feel a sharp burn or throbbing pain when they are active for a while. No procedure is able to correct your bone resting lower than normal, but the right footwear can reset the bone while you wear them. Any shoe with a stiffer secondary foam unit in the instep (usually distinguished by it's grey color) will push the bone back into a neutral position allowing for a consistent gait cycle. I highly recommend any asics court shoe with Duomax, you will tend to want to stay away from nike seeing as how they don't really make a shoe intended for those who are flat-footed, the closest they come is a dynamic support system which ends up causing more harm; overpronation calls for static not dynamic. The right shoe coupled with stretching extensively making the tibialis pliable will reduce the greater majority of discomfort felt while active.

[BaggedCat]

If you think it matters a lot, then it's just your mental state saying that as an excuse to blame your low performance.

I am also severely flat footed. It doesn't affect my movement or agility. It does however effect the endurance... of my foot. In place of my arch over the decades I have 'trained' the muscle to hold the arch (instead of naturally held by tendons). This muscle does tire quickly and is a disadvantage that people with arches wouldn't even have. so its not a mental excuse. If you have flat feet you are not necessarily less capablebut definitely biomechanically less efficient.

[Ezekiel]

I've been playing for almost 8 years already and I have to say that being flat footed really has its fair share of disadvantages.. However, my teammates who're flatfooted all have custom made orthopedic arch supports which they place inside their shoes to compensate for it.. furthermore, we're not allowed to wear slippers.. Only sandals with heavy support on the arch area (such as birkenstock sandals) are allowed.. It hurt like hell when we were still kids, but really worth it after a few years. Heck, we're so dependent on our arch supports now that we can't even play without them anymore >.<

[Elano]

I've only noticed that I have very little balance, and blame it on my flat MASSIVE fleet