A gait analysis can identify muscle imbalances and poor biomechanics. By identifying these issues, you’ll be on your way to pain-free running.
I’ve had an influx of gait analysis requests lately. It makes sense: the rigors of summer training are starting to wear down our bodies which of course makes us anxious and think we need help. But not everyone needs a gait analysis — even if we do feel tired and worn down.
Today I’m sharing some informational tidbits on when you might consider a gait analysis and what to expect when you get one.
Everything You Wanted to Know About Gait Analysis
Disclaimer: While I’m a certified running coach and personal trainer, I am not a physical therapist or sports medicine physician. This post is for entertainment purposes only. As always, if you are feeling pain or discomfort, seek the advice of a medical professional.
Do I Need a Gait Analysis?
If you’re prone to injuries such as stress reactions and unrelenting iliotibial band syndrome, you might be a good candidate for a gait analysis. A gait analysis will identify things like muscle imbalances and poor biomechanics, which can result in repeated injuries. The goal is to find those issues and fix them or make adjustments to avoid future injuries.
What Should I Expect at a Gait Analysis?
First, the professional analyzing your gait — usually a physical therapist, running coach, or a personal trainer — will perform a variety of assessments to observe your movement pattern and potential areas of weakness and overactivity. You’ll perform exercises like squats and single leg squats. Your trainer may also push on your legs to assess your strength, among other assessments.
After a series of assessments, you’ll walk on a treadmill. The observer will watch you walk from all sides and after a sufficient warm-up, you’ll begin the run. During the run portion of the analysis, the trainer will first observe your movement patterns. After the initial observation, she’ll then record videos from all angles. This is to ensure all movement patterns can be observed and reviewed at a later date. Your cadence (steps per minute) will likely be counted as well.
Reviewing the Videos and Receiving Exercises
After you’ve completed the assessments and the gait analysis, you’ll review the video with your trainer. At this point, she’ll show you what she was seeing and point out the areas to improve. Points of interest include your foot-strike and stride length, hip and shoulder movement, and arm swing. If your trainer notices a weakness or imbalance, she’ll recommend some exercises to help you strengthen those areas. These exercises may seem inconsequential but trust me, they can have a huge impact on overall strength and agility. I’ll give you a hint: areas of weakness are almost always the hips and glutes. Think bridge, clamshells, and leg lifts to name a few exercises that have a big impact on running strength and stability.
Gait Analysis Costs
A gait analysis can run the gamut when it comes to cost. Some doctors and/or hospitals offer a gait analysis in their clinics and insurance will cover the cost. Oftentimes, however, you’ll have to seek out a private practice professional. In this case, an analysis can cost anywhere from $50 to $250.
Some sporting good stores offer a free gait analysis as part of their selling tools. While this is a good tool to find out if you pronate or supinate, an analysis at a store is not nearly as comprehensive as an analysis done by a professional. Running store analyses usually focus on pronation and supination and not much else. If you’re needing a true analysis, I highly recommend seeking out a running coach, personal trainer, or physical therapist’s services.
If you’re chronically injured, don’t let the idea of a gait analysis overwhelm you. Now that you know what to expect, start seeking out professionals in your area who can help you.
Not interested in a gait analysis but wanting to improve your running form? Try this: Looking for Good Running Form? Here’s How to Fix It.
xo
Let’s talk!
Have you had a gait analysis done?
Did you find it to be helpful?
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28 Comments
I’ve done it through my chiropractor & my physical therapist. Not sure it’s really solved problems but I’d also say it was helpful, too.
I’m glad you found them helpful. Did your PT give you exercises to help?
I have had a few analyses done…at a race expo (the Brooks peeps) and also at some different running stores. A nearby store, where I have gotten numerous pairs of shoes, recommends a gait analysis every time you buy shoes because it’s common for a runner’s gait to change over time due to injury, etc. which may lead to switching which type of shoe(s) work best for your current needs.
I’m glad you’re staying on top of your form!
I recently did this as well as part of my first session w my PT. I was pointed to numerous things in my form that I needed to work on. I’ve been trying it is not easy to change your running form after so many years.
So true! Hopefully you’re making changes slowly. That’s really the only way to do it and make the changes stick.
I had some kind of an analysis done when I started working with my strength coach. She didn’t analyze my gait, but the work she had me do was spot on, correcting weaknesses I had. These issues were contributing to issues with my gait, leading to those chronic injuries. After a while, Poof! I’ve been running mostly injury free since.
That’s great. A good trainer will absolutely help pinpoint areas of weakness and improvement.
Getting a gait analysis done is a great idea, especially if you’ve been getting recurring injuries. The only time I’ve done it was at a race where Roadrunner Sports did it, of course trying to sell you shoes.
Right! There’s no issue when you get it done when you’re actually wanting to buy shoes, of course. 🙂
Great post! My husband does gait analysis with his patients but also to whoever he sees running on the road lol. He always has something to say about it.
Ha! I bet he picks apart form all the time. I know I do and I’m not even a chiro!
I’ve never had one.
I would love to.
I’m sure it would help.
You’re doing just fine without one, though. 🙂
I think every runner should have one of these done! I’ve done two: one at a running store and one at a PT. The running store was just simple to see if I needed shoes for pronation or stabilization. The PT was much more thorough, of course. It showed me I need to work on my glute strength!
I agree, the PT ones are much more thorough. They’re trained to identify areas of weakness and improvement, especially when they’re sports focused.
Interesting. I think it depends on what you are looking for. I think a well trained runner at a running store knows a lot about running form and shoes. They should be able to figure out basic irregularities in your stride. Using a gait analysis to find muscle weakness seems to me like a complicated way to do that verses a functional strength assessment. If you are injury prone for repetitive injuries I think that a complete gait analysis might help but most PTs are more trained to be working with unfit folks than runners and triathletes. I think finding the right person can be tough honestly.
To your point, if you have running injuries then you’d want to seek out a physical therapist who is familiar and comfortable with runners and athletes. I wouldn’t refer one of my runners to a PT that specializes in post-op rehabilitative care.
I’ve had a couple done. The first time reviewing the tape was like ugh! Do I really run like that. But not everyone looks like a bay watch babe running in slow motion. Lol! They all were really helpful and helped correct bad habits.
I remember watching my tape and thinking the same thing. My hips were totally uneven and unsteady. I’m glad I went through rehab because it certainly helped a ton!
I haven’t had a gait analysis in about 2 years so I’m definitely due for one – thanks for the reminder!
I hope you don’t need another one!
I had a gait analysis done a few years ago but I’d definitely be interested in going through the process again. I got a little too obsessed with “fixing” my running form and ended up getting a stress fracture (no, Newtons aren’t for everyone).
Oh no! I’m so sorry to hear that happened. Definitely gotta find the shoes that work for you that’s for sure!
I would really like to get this done. I think I am running differently than I used to, but I can’t pinpoint how. I had a physical therapist do this for me a few years ago, but I really didn’t get much out of it. I think I just had the wrong guy. I would like to try again, but maybe I should wait until my injury goes away?
Hmm… that’s a tricky question. If you’re chronically injured it wouldn’t hurt to see a sports medicine physician with a referral to a PT that specializes in running and athletics. You don’t want to keep running on it if you have suboptimal form and keep hurting yourself. If it’s just a one-time injury then you could probably wait it out.
Great info! I’ve heard mixed things on actually trying to change your gait, but having a gait analysis done would be fascinating. And I’ve had my share of injuries… it would be interesting to see what we would find!
I work at a running store and I agree, it’s not comprehensive or fail proof. I do gait analysis all the time. I see about 50% of people who overpronate. But that can mean a variety of things. I overpronate in one foot but not the other, so I’ve always had better luck with neutral shoes with a light orthotic for support. Wearing a heavy support shoe has always been uncomfortable for me! I’m all about getting what feels best, because most likely that is what’s best for your body 🙂