GAIT ANALYSIS

We use Dartfish software to analyse your running by measuring various joint angles during the stance and swing phase of running. With all this information we can identify the key areas which are holding you back and propose a series of drills and exercises to improve your running speed and economy. Some of the key areas we are looking at are

Ground contact time The less time you spend with your foot on the ground the faster you will run Ground contact point If you land on your heel and with your shin pointing backwards (negative shin angle) then every time you land you increase the transient loads in your leg and you put the brakes on just a little, slowing you down. Cadence If you run with a low cadence then it is possible that you are overstriding, landing with a negative shin angle and increasing your ground contact time. Vertical Oscillation If you lack hip flexibility it is likely that when you push off the ground you push up rather than forward. This will show up as excessive vertical oscillation. Pelvis position If you run with your pelvis tilted back then you are putting extra strain on your hamstrings and glutes and limiting the amount of forward knee drive you can achieve.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is no “one size fits all” answer to running form, we have all seen champion runners who run with what looks like questionable form, but most runners will get faster by increasing their cadence. It is not a case of just turning your legs over faster, we need to reduce your ground contact time and improve your posture to make you as efficient and fast as possible.

If we combine gait analysis with VO2Max testing then we can monitor your oxygen consumption and therefore economy at each speed and we can see how your economy improves with time allowing you to run faster or for longer.