Maintaining a neutral foot position during walking and running is critical to optimize propulsion and properly load the tissues of the lower extremity, especially at the level of the foot and ankle. Unfortunately, neutral foot positioning is a rarity as the vast majority of people tend to assume a toed out or externally rotated foot position. Such positioning not only compromises the Windlass mechanism, which improves propulsion through stiffening the tissues along the plantar aspect of the foot, but also sets the stage for injuries involving the 1st MTP joint as well as the medial foot and ankle region (i.e. posterior tibialis dysfunction). So focus on keeping your feet straight as this will prove invaluable when it comes to walking and running.