Hello. I'm Hiroki, a new employee at OLENO. Today I'd like to talk about the soles of the human foot.
I learned that OLENO's trail running socks and running socks are equipped with a support function called arch support , which reduces the strain on the feet.
As someone who will be promoting the appeal of OLENO at events, I have no choice but to first learn about its performance and try it out. So, in this article, I would like to summarize in my own words the effects of arch support socks and why their functionality is so needed in today's world.
This feature is often found in sports socks , and the more you look into it, the more complex it becomes.
【table of contents】
What exactly happens if the arch collapses?
・Does Art Support function as a sock or an insole?
Supports three arches
First of all, let's talk about what the arch is, which is also included in the name arch support.It is an important part that exists on the sole of the foot and supports the body itself.It is made up of three parts : the transverse arch , the medial longitudinal arch , and the lateral longitudinal arch .
Each arch has the role of distributing weight , absorbing impact when landing , and assisting forward propulsion . They are also very important for stabilizing the body, with the medial longitudinal arch maintaining front-to-back balance , the lateral longitudinal arch twisting the body , and the transverse arch maintaining left-to-right balance .
It's easy to imagine a tripod with a camera attached to it; if one leg breaks, the tripod will immediately fall over. In the same way, if one of the three arches collapses, the camera will lose its balance.
In this way, I felt that socks with auxiliary functions such as arch support socks would be useful in protecting the arch (the camera on a tripod), which is at the center of body balance and shock absorption.
What exactly happens when the arch collapses?
1) Pain and fatigue in the legs
When the arch collapses, the cushioning function of the foot decreases, and the impact of walking is more likely to be transmitted directly to the sole of the foot, which can lead to foot fatigue and pain .
② Loss of balance throughout the body
When the arch collapses, the balance of the entire body is disrupted, increasing the strain on the ankles, knees, and hips, affecting the joints and muscles, which can lead to secondary problems such as knee pain and back pain .
3) Foot deformities and walking problems
Collapse of the arch can cause foot deformities (such as flat feet and bunions) , which can make the center of gravity unstable when walking and cause problems with proper walking. This can lead to poor posture and put additional strain on the feet.
Collapsed arches can make it difficult to go outside. To prevent this risk, wearing arch support socks on a daily basis is a simple but very important and effective preventative measure .
Is arch support the role of socks or insoles?
When you hear about arch support, the first thing that probably comes to mind is an insole you put inside your running shoes, right?
However, when I actually searched for "arch support insoles," I found a lot of negative opinions.
After some research, I found someone who wrote about why arch support insoles have a bad reputation (reference: https://mirai-iryou.com/itami/flatinsole/ ).
Summary below
The arch structure of the foot is very strong against pressure from above, but weak against pressure from below . Therefore, if you support the arch from below with an insole, it can cause foot pain or even reduce the function of the foot .
So, it seems that the ideal arch support is something as flat as possible , but the best thing to do is to wrap tape around the foot. However, since it is a hassle to wrap it every time, socks with a taping effect are often used.
Socks with taping effect
Arch support socks are socks that have the same effect as taping , and they help to prevent muscle weakness and poor posture.
Generally, as we get tired or get older, the muscles that support the arch weaken, causing the arch of the foot to touch the ground .
The role of socks with arch support is to forcefully pull up the area like tape and prevent the muscles from sagging. While there are cases where arch support is included not only in sports socks but also in everyday socks, it is still rare.
So, is it possible to protect the arches with just socks that have arch support? Not necessarily. Top runners have insoles made to fit their feet and put them in their shoes.
However, custom insoles can be expensive, so if you do light running , go to the gym, climb mountains, or have a job where you stand a lot, socks with arch support might be a good choice as they provide a little arch support without causing discomfort. I'll end this by remembering my mother's words: always be prepared for the worst.
At OLENO, we have also developed arch support socks with rational arch support based on feedback from top Japanese athletes , including Olympic track and field athletes.If you are troubled by daily fatigue or poor posture, we encourage you to try them out and experience their effectiveness for yourself .
Trail running socks with arch support
