Proprioception is the ability to perceive where you are in relation to everything else. Without it you’d bump into walls and trip over your own feet. It’s been described as our sixth sense. Well-developed proprioception allows us to walk upright without falling over.

How can the best running shoes improve your proprioception? First let’s explain what proprioception is. Then we’ll look at how improving it can prevent injury.

There’s actually a whole proprioception system made up of nerves in and around our joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons which gives the brain feedback on what is going on within the body. Anytime you complete a physical task without having to look at what you are doing (say playing a smoking guitar solo in Rock Band for example) you are using this sensory system.

Improving proprioception can help keep you running injury-free. That’s because being able to sense a change in your environment and then moving the appropriate body part immediately to adapt, can prevent spills and twisted ankles.

Constant Feedback to the Brain Followed by Constant Corrections by the Body

This is where good running shoes can help. Wearing thick, padded shoes interferes with your body’s ability to absorb information about its surroundings. Everything feels the same. Even if the ground beneath you has changed, the thick soles prevent the sensors in your feet and legs from picking this up. Quality, thinner soled running shoes, however, provide information about your running surface your brain can use.

One way to improve your proprioception is to experience many different kinds of stimuli.

• Change your running surface from pavement to grass, gravel or sand.
• Change your route from flat to hills, stairs, or trail.
• Vary your training speed.
• Strengthening exercises can be done while balanced on one foot or even with eyes closed.
• Taking up Tai Chi is an amazing way to improve this vital skill.

Opting for thin-soled runners while you mix up the elements of your training will improve your proprioception and keep your running fresh and injury-free.