Pole Vaulting in Sprint Spikes due to flat feet

[polevaultmax]

As I have very flat feet to the point where I have no arch whatsoever I have found that sprinting in sprint spikes allows me to feel taller and run biomechanically more efficient. I have always pole vaulted in Long Jump spikes and was wondering what the pros/cons are to vaulting in sprint spikes and if it is a common occurance eg) achilles problems etc. Looking at my videos, my support foot tends to contact the ground flat with the heel touching the ground for an extended period of time to that desired. Also the support leg has a greater angle about the knee joint than desired. Upon ground contact I do not compress anymore than what happens upon the initial contact so I am not putting the bent leg down to glute/postural weakness.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

[KirkB]

If you have a vid of your running technique, then it would be helpful to post it on youtube, and then put a link to it on this thread. Then we can see for ourselves, rather than just on your interpretation of what you THINK you saw in your vid.

Kirk

[polevaultmax]

Perhaps some constructive advice would be applicable here...like who vaults in sprint spikes that is elite rather than attacking me for a vague description of my running style.

[polevaultmax]

And why has my thread been moved to intermediate...

[perfect_plant_43]

To be honest its prob going to cause you more problems if you try and vault in sprint spikes. If you have fallen arches then when you plant your foot on the ground you will get severe over pronation. Wearing a sprint spike will not do anything to prevent and it will allow you to over pronate more. This will lead to further problems ranging from plantar fascitis to achillies and shin problems. Also tibialis posterior is under alot of strain while pronating and you can cause the tendons of this to become chronically inflamed which can cause problems with the medial side of your ankle making yout unable to apply much force.
I would suggest you get some discrete acrch supports for your spikes and maybe look at getting an orthotic for your trainer to try and encourage your arch to stiffen.
However i doubt the fact you have flat feet causes you to have greater knee flexion during running gait. This may be due to weak muscles around the lower calf etc which gives you control when striking the ground. These muscles may have been stretched and weakened due the fact you have flat feet so an orthotic may also allow these muscles to recover and strengthen in the right range.

[vaultmd]

I agree with Kirk.

Kind of like "Don't treat a patient without examining him/her first."

[KirkB]

Perhaps some constructive advice would be applicable here...like who vaults in sprint spikes that is elite rather than attacking me for a vague description of my running style.

I'm sorry that you interpreted my suggestion to show your vids as an "attack". There is nothing in my post that should have caused you to draw that conclusion. I was merely trying to be helpful ... by suggesting to you the best way in which the readers here on PVP ... some of which probably have good experience with your problem ... could best help you. After all, you ASKED for help!

A picture is worth a thousand words.

I repeat my advice: Particularly since you already HAVE vids of your running technique, does it not make perfect sense to post them so that we can give you the best advice possible?

You may be pleasantly surprised at how other vaulters and coaches ... with more experience than you ... can analyze your vids in ways that you never thought of. That's the beauty of posting vids on youtube and PVP!

Kirk

[bel142]

Something to take into account is that Nike vault spikes (sorry have to plug the team sponsor) have bit more of a heal than sprint spikes. In the vault although we are "sprinting" there is still more heal strike than in a 100 meter sprint. Also with take off usually there is a breaking action that takes place. This action in step, places more pressure on the Calcaneus bone in the heal, and this may lead to Achilles problems because the tendon inserts on this bone.

Because you say you have flat feet your ankles and feet are goign to have awkward positioning as it is. If I was you, I am not but if I was... I would be getting a shoe to protect your feet as much as possible and still allow you to run fast. A mid distance 800 --> 1600 shoe or vault spike may be more useful than a sprint spike. Something with a full rubber sole, spikes and a heal. Just a thought....

Cheers,
bel

[vault3rb0y]

To specifically answer your second question, i dont personally know of ANY elite jumpers that jump in sprint spikes. Vault spikes are designed for the way elite vaulters run, not how sprinters run. Nike and other companies spend a lot of money analyzing the differences in forward lean and pressure displacement on the ground and foot for all the events in the track and field (and most other sports for that matter), and design shoes with that in mind. If you feel more comfortable running in a sprint spike, you won't be benefiting from the modifications made to the vault spike to support the differences in run posture and take off support.