If you’ve ever visited a running store, you’ve probably seen treadmill set up with a camera pointed at the feet. They will record a few minutes of you running and then pronounce that you wither pronate, supinate or are one of the blessed neutral runners.
While this type of video analysis when watched in slow motion can pinpoint if a runner is over pronating or supinating, either could be a result of other things going on in the body: tight muscles, poor form, previous injuries, fatigue…the list goes on.
These foot only videos are right about 50% of the time…which means you might as well throw a dart at the wall of shoes to pick! If you’ve ever been told to start wearing a stability shoe and then found you got injured more frequently this could be the explanation. You were put into a shoe that actually exacerbated a muscular imbalance. This is not to say that when you visit a running store and work with a qualified person they don’t take your full body in to consideration, but it is a warning to really take a look at who is giving you advice.
Here’s a short video to further explain and show what the video of a full stride analysis might allow you to see. Again I worked with Dr Lorenzo Gonalez of IIPTR. You could have someone video tape you and watch it in slow motion, but working with a specialist ensures that you get specific things to change and assistance in releasing tight muscles. If you can’t find a location, do a search for places that allow you to upload a video for analysis.
In my case the pelvic drop is what I am most focused on fixing as it is likely one of the causes of the IT Band issues I experience sporadically. Knowing this I can now do exercises to strengthen my glutes and stabilize my pelvis.
After running for years, most of us don’t realize the little quirks our body may have developed to be efficient and continue forward in the easiest way possible. While that sounds great, it means we might be creating new injuries based on changes we have made to accommodate past injuries. What a cycle!
A stride analysis can help you see:
- heel strike
- trunk rotation
- hip extension (or lack thereof)
- poor mechanics
- muscle compensation
Here's an example of what they can show you via gait analysis software.
Have you ever done a full stride analysis? Have you ever been recommended a shoe that you found caused more issues?
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Gratitude Journal
Oct 4
I am grateful that my mom is finally going to retire!! She’s endured a lot of cruddy work situations and will now get to enjoy being her own boss all the time!
