Running Gait Analysis
A running gait analysis films how you run, usually on a treadmill, to find the form problems behind your running injuries or slower times. At the LOR Sports Lab in Laguna Niguel it uses LED markers, high-speed cameras and a pressure-sensitive treadmill, and you leave with a written report and a plan.
Who a running evaluation is for
You do not need to be injured, but most people come because something hurts.
- Runners with pain, to find the cause and address it
- Runners coming back after an injury or surgery who want to return properly
- Runners who want to improve their mechanics to prevent pain and injury
- Runners training for a race who want their form checked
How the running evaluation works
History and exam
We take a thorough history and examine your muscles and joints, including strength and mobility testing.
Filming you run
LED markers go on different body regions to help calculate joint angles while you run on a pressure-sensitive treadmill. High-speed cameras capture your movement from the front, back and side.
Your findings
We review the frame-by-frame footage with you, explain the underlying cause of your pain and give the best first steps.
What you take home
You get a full customized report with pictures, our impression and the areas to improve. Exercise recommendations to start your rehabilitation come on day one, with a time-frame for your expected recovery.
Clinicians performing these evaluations have been trained by Dr. Christopher Powers, PhD, PT, FAPTA, an internationally recognized pioneer in movement education.
Running injuries it helps explain
Cost and other Sports Lab evaluations
A video running analysis is $300. Multi-assessment packages are priced on request, so call the clinic. Your findings can lead into return to sport testing, and the Sports Lab page describes the other evaluations.
Questions about running analysis
What is a running assessment?
A running assessment combines a history, an exam of strength and mobility, and filming your running to measure form.
What is video gait analysis?
Video gait analysis films you moving from several angles, in slow motion, so joint angles and timing can be measured instead of guessed.
What does running form analysis tell me?
Running form analysis shows where your movement overloads a joint, and which exercises or cues change it.
Does it help with running injury prevention?
Running injury prevention is one of the main reasons runners come: the evaluation finds the weak or stiff link before it breaks down.
Can you give running shoe recommendations?
Shoes are part of how you run, so we talk through your shoes with you. Our blog also has a post on picking the right running shoes.
Is there a physical therapist for runners in Laguna Niguel?
Yes. Our Sports Lab was built around running, cycling and golf evaluations, and our physical therapists treat running injuries.
Running analysis care in Laguna Niguel, California
LOR Physical Therapy treats running analysis at our Laguna Niguel clinic, 31271 Niguel Road, Suite J, for patients across South Orange County.
Whether your insurance plan needs a referral differs from plan to plan: call the number on your insurance card to check, or call us before your first visit and we will help you find out.
Meet the people who treat you on our team page.