Why You Need a Running Gait Analysis

Running gait analysis is a powerful tool for understanding running-related injuries (RRIs)—especially if your pain shows up during or shortly after a run. As a physical therapist, observing how someone moves is a foundational part of identifying the root cause of injury and creating an effective treatment plan.

What Is a Running Gait Analysis?

A gait analysis is a detailed biomechanical assessment of how a person runs (and sometimes walks). It’s used to evaluate key movement patterns and can measure:

• Cadence (steps per minute)

• Symmetry between sides

• Vertical oscillation (how much you bounce)

• Joint angles at specific phases of gait

Typically, a 2D video gait analysis is performed using recordings from the side, back, and sometimes front view while running on a treadmill. More advanced clinics may offer 3D or AI-assisted gait assessments, but even a well-executed 2D video provides valuable insight.

When pain is localized to the foot, heel, or calf, a close-up foot view can be especially helpful. That said, capturing full-body movement is crucial for understanding the chain reaction across joints.

How a Gait Assessment Can Help You

A running gait analysis is just one stop on the road to recovery—but it’s a strategic one. It helps uncover how and why an injury started, and where changes may be needed.

When combined with a thorough physical therapy evaluation, gait analysis can guide:

• Personalized injury rehab plans

• Adjustments in training load and running form

• Strengthening exercises that address specific mechanical faults

I tailor every analysis based on your symptoms and training context.
✅ Heel pain at mile 10? Let’s have you run 10 miles before filming.
✅ Knee pain only at tempo pace? We’ll film you running at that exact speed.

These small but specific tweaks allow us to get a more accurate picture of your true running mechanics under the right conditions.

Does Strength Training Automatically Improve Running Form?

This is one of the most common misconceptions in distance running. While strength training is essential, it doesn’t directly change your running form (Willy, 2011). That means:

You can have a great strength program—but if your mechanics are faulty and left unaddressed, the same injury is likely to come back.

That’s where running form analysis and retraining drills come in. It’s not about fixing everything—it’s about addressing what needs attention for you to run more efficiently and pain-free.

Should You Change Your Running Form?

Great question. And honestly, not always.

If you’re running well, enjoying your miles, and free from injury—don’t change a thing.

Take Peres Jepchirchir as a perfect example. You might spot seven things “off” with her form on slow-motion replay. But… she’s a gold medalist, a New York City Marathon champion, and a Boston Marathon winner. Her gait may not look “perfect,” but clearly, it's working for her.

That said—if she started struggling with injuries like low back or knee pain, then we’d start investigating.
We’d ask:

• Where exactly is the pain?

• When does it occur in the run?

• What does her strength work look like?

• What’s her mileage and training structure?

From there, we’d use gait analysis as one tool among many to build a recovery strategy that supports both healing and performance.

Bottom Line:
Running gait analysis is most valuable when paired with expert clinical reasoning and an understanding of your unique training background. It’s not about fixing every asymmetry—it’s about identifying the right changes that will help you run healthier and stronger.

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