Gait Analysis and Gait Correction “Gait”, in laymen’s term represents the way in which we walk, or in the case of sport, run. Gait analysis is simply that, a review in the way we move. This can be achieved under the trained eye, or better, by video capture. With the latter, the benefits being the opportunity to slow down the action to gain a closer look at things.
So you say… how can this help my running or alleviate nagging injuries? All of us on this planet are subject to environmental consequences that can shape the way we walk, live and breathe. Gravity alone is constantly pressing us against the earth. This subtle pressure has the potential to degrade our posture and in so doing, effect the bio-mechanics of our framework composed of muscle, connective tissue and bone. Without taking into account other issues such as past injuries or repetitive traumas, we may have experienced that also work to degrade proper mechanics. Suffice to say, muscular imbalance is not an uncommon occurrence. These imbalances generally don’t manifest into injuries quickly unless we subject our bodies to rigorous repetitive movements, such as high mileage running, cycling or a host of other activities that we train to perfect.
What are common faults found in gait analysis? It can be excessive external or internal rotation of the legs due to muscular imbalances of the thigh and instability of the hip, varus or valgus (knock knee or bow legged) patterns of the knee, pronation or supination of the foot. Compounded by high repetition these faulty mechanics can result in poor performance or eventual injury. Gait analysis can serve as the first step in intervention to correct these bio-mechanical faults. Sometimes, just the awareness of the mechanical indiscretion is enough feedback to aide in the correction. Wouldn’t this all be so simple if that is all that was needed?
Women who run are at far greater risk for running related injuries. The reason is associated with what is reffered to as the Q angle. Because women genetically have wider hips then men, the angle from thier hip to the knne poses much greater shear force with each foot contact while running. Due the popularity of marathon running, many women end up with severe knee problems. Most physicans will warm women who begin to exhibit tese chronic pain epesodes to find another method of exercise. The good news is that we have had amazing results correcting many of these running related problems with a two pronged gait correction system. Our approach begins with a re-education the neural muscular contractile forces and is supported with changes in running technique to further maintain what we've corrected.
In our Sports Performance Lab we perform video gait analysis as the first phase of our performance enhancement program. If we find issues in gait we immediately began the gait correction process. Through a unique strapping and harnessing of the lower limbs into the correct paths allows the subject to walk in this nweighted corrected state. This introduction to corrected motor patterns is readily received by the brain and within a few training sessions these new skills are learned and the faults forgotten. Of course, proper training under corrected gait improves the rate of success but the end result is renewed opportunity for performance. When the body is properly aligned as it engages the ground you will achieve maximal force production and more efficient leg turnover.
Identify with the fact that there is clearly a right and a wrong way to run. Aside from skill and training there resides a history of underlying tendencies to do things incorrectly and these faults can be improved upon and to my knowledge, unweighted running along with proper gait correction is a viable solution and should be given consideration. If there seems to be a leak in your power output, you have reached a plateau in your speed and endurance or you’re plagued with injuries, have your gait evaluated. It may be just the advice you needed.
Speed and Agility are the hallmarks of every great athlete. Every athlete aspires to achieve great speed and agility and there are many systems of training in the world that attempt to enhance these physical traits. Most of these training systems are antiquated. The cream always rises to the top in sport and the rest... well, the rest sit out while history and records are made and broken.
dhp is not so different in our aspirations to assist athletes in their quest for speed and agility. But what does set us apart form most training systems is the hierarchy in which we approach the trainees functionality. In the majority of training systems for sport where speed and agility are concerned, the approach is one of measured intensity and volume of work which is focused on the playing field, track or court. Running drills and repeats, forward, back, laterally and in some cases with external loads to try and trick the muscles into more rapid firing sequence and directional stability.
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