Running Gait Analysis Definition and Uses

Runners always want one thing: to get faster. They also, of course, want to be able to run longer, become more efficient, suffer fewer injuries, train more effectively and know that they’re doing right by their bodies. There are plenty of ways to accomplish these things, such as measuring performance, wearing the right equipment and training with experts.

However, a running gait analysis is one of the best ways to improve your technique. Before we explore this, though, let’s look at the definition of "gait" and how it changes in running. Then we’ll look at what running gait analysis is, how it works and how you can put it to use for you.

What Is Gait in Human Locomotion?

The first piece of understanding running gait analysis is understanding gait. The gait cycle is how your body moves from step to step, which means where the foot lands, what part the foot strikes (the ball or the heel), whether your foot rolls and how the knee and ankle work together.

Running gait analysis requires an intimate understanding of the human gait. Factors such as heel strike or whether the heel strikes the ground below the body are integral to performing a proper analysis.

How Does Gait Change in Running?

A running gait analysis must take stock of how body movement changes with running form. With any running style, a few things happen when you go from walking to running:

1. The ground reaction force on the body increases by double or more.
2. Whether running on a treadmill, on a track or uneven ground, greater balance is required.
3. Walking always keeps one foot on the ground, while running means the body is sometimes floating.
4. The angles of the body and its mechanics change while running.

Because running mechanics differ from walking mechanics and running gait is different for everyone, it takes a specialized running gait analysis to understand what the body is doing to improve and avoid injury.

What Is Running Gait Analysis?

Running gait analysis is one of the best ways to optimize human performance. It uses a simple system whereby sensors in shoes track the runner’s motion and integrate the resulting data points into a detailed picture of how their body moves while the person runs. This is key for improving running because until you know how you move, how can you fix issues?

Running gait analysis typically tracks several different factors. These include:

• Cadence: How fast or slow you’re running, measured as how many steps you take per minute, also called "step rate."
• Vertical displacement: This is the amount of distance you get between your feet and the ground while running. A bit makes sense, but if you’re going too high, it probably means you’re wasting energy you could be employed to move forward.
• Stride length: This is the length of each step. Typically, most runners should shorten their stride length to protect their bodies and go faster.
• Impact: This is how hard you hit the ground, which not only pertains to the chance of injury but also affects how quickly you push back off your foot.
• Ground contact: How long is your foot in contact with the ground?
• Ground force: This is how much weight you are experiencing by hitting the ground when running. Understanding foot force is key to maintaining healthy body mechanics.
• Pronation or supination: Are your feet rolling in or out unnaturally?
• … and much more.

Each of these aspects of running gait analysis tells you (or the expert performing the analysis) where you could improve your stride and running technique overall.

How to Use Running Gait Analysis in Your Life

Running gait analysis is incredibly useful for many things, such as deciding what type of running shoe to buy and assisting with injury prevention. Suppose you’re wondering about a certain pair of running or stability shoes, exploring the idea of a neutral shoe, or trying to figure out why you have chronic injuries. In that case, a running gait analysis can help.

Most experienced runners have had one performed in the past. It might be time if you have not or if it has been a while. If you work for a clinic and want to get the right technology to help your runners perform their best, we’d love to help you.