Running Analysis: What is it and who is it for?
At Game Changer Physical Therapy, we offer running analysis sessions for runners in the tri-cities area.
What is a running analysis?
A running analysis is one of the best tools available to runners because it allows them to check in with a professional trained to help them optimize their performance (in other words: run faster, longer, and avoid injury).
A running analysis is a detailed assessment that goes beyond just looking at how you run and gives you more detailed information about what you can do to optimize your performance and reduce the risk of injury. It’s more than just observing how you run on a treadmill and looking at your shoe wear pattern, it’s also about checking out how your body moves with a total body mobility and strength assessment. Seeing how you move during other tasks, such as squatting and lunging with torso rotation is also helpful. The information gathered during the evaluation regarding your current running mechanics, areas of weakness, and mobility level gives your therapist better insight into your typical movement patterns and identifies areas that are vulnerable to injury.
Who can benefit from a running analysis?
All runners looking to increase their running distance, increase speed, and improve their form could benefit from a running gait analysis or “form check.” Perhaps one of the greatest benefits though is that runners can use the information from a running analysis to help decrease their risk of pain and injury by identifying areas of weakness early before they create pain and put a damper on your training. Then you can come up with a plan to level up your run.
So where should you go to get a running analysis?
Check with your local sports physical therapist who regularly treats runners in your area and ask if they are trained in performing a gait analysis or evaluation. If they aren’t comfortable with doing the assessment, they can likely point you in the direction of another therapist that they recommend. Another way you can find local practitioners is to search for “running analysis near me” in your favorite search engine.
Running analysis in the Tri-Cities area
If you’re local to the Tri-Cities, WA area, contact Game Changer Physical Therapy located in Kennewick, WA. I’m Kacie Shively, PT, DPT, a physical therapist for athletes who specializes in working with runners and triathletes in my clinic. Find out more information and determine if a gait assessment is right for you by booking a free 15-minute discovery call via my scheduling link below.