Run Form & Stride Analysis
Would you like to avoid a running injury while training? How about improving your running pace without working harder? Or if you’re injured, would you like to determine if your running form is part of the cause?
Each of these can be accomplished by identifying your running asymmetries and faults in body position!
We like to think of our Run Form & Stride Analysis test as a MRI of your running form - this data provides us with a full picture of a runner's movement inefficiencies and asymmetries. This is important for any runner to know in order to significantly reduce the risk of injury and to improve their performance.
The assessment includes two reports: first is a stride analysis with the Optogait optical sensors. Second is the form analysis with the Noraxon MR4 2D motion capture system.
The stride analysis report includes a breakdown of flight time, contact time, and cadence. It further breaks down contact time into its three subphases: initial contact, foot flat, and propulsion. Lastly, it includes comparisons between the left and right sides.
The form analysis includes a breakdown of important joint angles related to running, and compares this to a recommended range that has been thoroughly researched by one of the country’s leading researchers in running mechanics, Dr. Chris Powers, PHD, PT. The 2D motion capture system automatically tracks the runners joint angles in real-time, analyzes these angles, and populates the findings into an easy to read and interpret report that is proprietary to Dr. Powers and Noraxon. This powerful system compares your joint angles to normative values obtained from years of research, providing you with detailed analysis of key joints. This information can then be used to make changes in your running form to positively impact your stride and overall efficiency and symmetry of movement.
The Run Form & Stride Analysis does not include diagnosis of any specific underlying pathologies that may explain the findings in the reports, but there will be some general discussion of underlying causes and issues depending on the findings. It also does not include instruction in corrective exercises or treatment plans. For those services, a follow-up with one of our Run Physical Therapists is highly recommended. Our therapists have extensive training in run analysis as well as numerous techniques for treating soft tissue restrictions, joint mobility restrictions, corrective exercise instructions, and years of experience working with elite runners.