Pronation is the slight inward rotation of the foot that occurs between heel strike and the point in the gait cycle when the foot is flat on the ground. Supination is the slight outward rotation of the foot that occurs from foot-flat to toe-off in the gait cycle.

Pronation and supination are parts of the natural movement of the foot through the gait cycle. Over-pronating or over-supinating can cause misalignment, fatigue and discomfort. Properly designed and fitted footwear, footbeds or orthotics can help keep pronation and supination in line with the ideal neutral plane of the gait.