Gait Analysis: What It Is, And Why Every Runner Needs One

Published on: 26 March 2019 Last Updated on: 22 July 2024
Runner

As a marathon runner, you’re willing to do almost anything to give yourself an edge. You’ll wake up at the crack of dawn every morning, just to squeeze in some training before work. You’ll get the best gear that wicks away sweat and keeps you warm in the bitter cold. You’ll take vitamin and protein supplements to boost your energy, so you can push yourself past that brick wall and make it to the finish line.

If you really want to improve your capabilities as a runner, you should add one more step to your to-do list: go for a gait analysis.

Gait analysis is a study of how you walk and run. It can be completed at a professional foot clinic. A chiropodist will start by recording a video of you walking and jogging on a treadmill. They will make a note of your physicality — aspects like your height, your weight, and the arches of your feet will come into play. Then they will watch the recorded footage to observe the biomechanical patterns.

The first thing you will get out of this analysis is an in-depth look into your body’s composition and your stride. These are qualities that the average person would not be able to identify with the naked eye. Seeing the evidence in slow-motion footage makes it much easier to make an assessment. For instance, gait analysis will be able to tell you if you deal with overpronation, under pronation, or neutral pronation:

Type: Definition:
Overpronation The foot rolls inward too much, putting weight on the foot’s inner edge.
Underpronation (Supination) The outside of the foot impacts the ground at a steep angle.
Neutral Pronation The foot lands on the outer edge and rolls inward for even-weight distribution.

 

You can improve your running ability with gait analysis because all of the findings could help you make the right adjustments to your technique and avoid serious injuries down the line.

If you’re someone who deals with overpronation, you could deal with problems like Plantar Fasciitis, bunions, or heel spurs if you don’t make any changes. If you’re someone who deals with supination, you could deal with complications like shin splints, hammertoes, or IT band syndrome if it’s not treated.

The easiest way to solve these problems is to get custom orthotic inserts for your running shoes or to get brand new orthopedic shoes. These will modify your weight distribution, ankle stability, and arch support.

After making the suggested adjustments to your stride and using the right shoes for the job, you can go back to a foot clinic for a follow-up. You’ll have definitive proof that the changes have enhanced your biomechanics or that further adjustments need to be made.

Running and walking are instinctive activities. You won’t be thinking about how your heel hits the pavement or where the outer edge of your foot distributes your body weight. You’re just focused on putting one foot in front of the other and making your running time. Having a professional perform a gait analysis will help pinpoint your problem areas and make your training even better.

Read Also:

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

Go Karts

7 Sick Things You Can Do On Go Karts

Go-karting is one of the best ways to enjoy the thrill of speed without having to worry about getting hurt. However, that's not to say it's risk-free — there are some things you should know about safety before you hop on the Go Karting Melbourne - Le Mans Entertainment. Here Are Seven Prime Things You Can Do On Go Karts: If you love speed and adrenaline, then go karts are a must. And if you're looking for something a bit more relaxing, check out this list of 7 sick things you can do on go karts. 1. Create Your Own Track The best thing about go karts is that they have their own tracks built into the design of the vehicle itself. You can even create your own circuit and let other people race against you! 2. Play Games It's not just about racing around in circles anymore - there are plenty of other games to play on your go-kart as well! You can play games such as "Jailbreak" or "Donuts" which are both really fun. These games will help you practice your driving skills while also getting some exercise in at the same time! 3. Practice Your Drifting Skills If you're looking to improve your drifting skills, then try out a go-kart that has an adjustable suspension! This will help you get used to driving on uneven surfaces like bumps in the road or potholes! 4. Ride like a pro If you want to learn how to ride go karts, the best way is to practice. The more you ride, the better you will become. You can also find karts for rent in your area. This way, you will get some time on the go-kart and improve your skills as well. 5. Buy a helmet You need to wear a helmet before getting into the kart, otherwise, you will end up injuring yourself or someone else during an accident. Also, wear a jacket and pants while riding so that you do not get too hot while working on your speed and stability in the kart. 6. Facing the wrong way You can't see out of your go-kart, so it's easy to get disoriented. This is especially dangerous if you're trying to drive around another car or track. It's hard to tell whether you're going the right way when you're facing the wrong way and have no idea which way you should be straining your neck and shoulders against the steering wheel to move in that direction. Don't drive while eating.Don't drive while talking on the phone (or texting).Don't drive when you're tired or drunk. If you're not wearing a seatbelt, you won't be able to stop if something goes wrong with your go-kart. That's why wearing one is so important! 7. Driving too fast Don't forget that speed is relative when it comes to driving a go-kart — even though it may seem like you're moving slowly in comparison to other modes of transportation, speeding could still cause an accident or get someone seriously injured if they aren't paying attention or are distracted by something else while driving. Read Also: 6 Reasons Why Vehicles are now Safer Than EverWhy it is Important to Wear a Plate Carrier for the ProtectionWhat Are the 6 Steps to Take to Become a Proud Motorcyclist?

READ MOREDetails
Ping Pong Paddle

Buying Guide of Ping Pong Paddle

Using the right ping-pong paddle can significantly change your game and greatly decrease the strain on your hand. A wrong paddle not only affect your target, but it can as well affect your spin and the return time. There are numerous paddles on the market, but when it comes to buying a ping-pong paddle, you should search for one that offers the best play. Below are the features to look for; Buying Guide of Ping Pong Paddle: 1. Brand: You will get that some brands are slightly more expensive than others. The brands that have been in existence for a long time are well created, which makes them better than most base brands. But these high-end paddles are quite expensive. The purchase of such ping pong paddles can be quite high for a lot of individuals, particularly for first time players. It is recommended that you choose a brand that you can afford because there are other ping-pong products that you need to buy besides the paddles. 2. Grip There are three types of grip: Flared, anatomical and straight. When searching for ping pong paddle, look out for the grip. The grip you choose should make you feel good when playing. Flared and straight handles are the most common options that are seen nowadays, although sometimes the anatomical grip can as well be seen. It is believed that flared grip is good for striking consecutive shots and if you want to hit backhands consider the straight handle, but do not worry about it. Just get something that is better and comfortable in your hands, and you can start. 3. Weight: A lightweight ping pong paddle tends to be good for a defensive player and one who plays close to the table as it tends to help the player react quicker. The medium-weight paddle is a good choice for a player who is all around. A heavy paddle is a good option for players who are aggressive and want to make powerful-packed shots. It as well suits players who play from a far distance since the weight is required to pump power into the shots so they can easily overcome the extra distance. The heavier paddles offer a lot of spin and control; however, a heavy paddle has a slower reaction time due to the weight. 4. Size: When you are shopping for a paddle, go for a paddle that you can buy and fits your budget. Large paddles tend to be expensive than standard size paddles. If you are a first-time player, buy a standard size paddle as it will make your playing easier and won’t cost you much. Large paddles are for those experienced players. 5. Spin: Spin is another factor to consider when buying a ping-pong paddle. Most of the times, a lighter paddle gives very good control and sufficient spin. The make and quality of the rubber in the paddle will as well determine the spin you will make. It can as well be improved by a lighter blade. The heavy spinning paddle can make it difficult for your competitor to have shots. A lighter weight paddle spins the most and it is one of the best for players who play with defensive and offensive style. For an experienced player, he/she should buy for a paddle which has a higher spinner rating. 6. Quality:                                         When looking for a ping pong paddle, get one that can last for a long time and useful. Low-quality paddles tend to be distorted quickly. Remember, you will always get a high-quality paddle for your cash, depending on your budget. Therefore, you must do a thorough search to determine the best quality paddle to buy. Final verdict: The ping-pong game is not just a game, it's as well a game full of excitement. Whenever you feel depressed or tired of life, try this game. You will enjoy it to the fullest. In order to participate in a tournament game, you need to develop your game strategy, otherwise, your playing time is a waste. For this, you have to buy the best ping-pong paddle right from the start. Read Also: Golf For Beginners: How To Perfect Your Game In Three Steps! A Lightning-Fast Guide To Choosing High-Quality Sports Equipment

READ MOREDetails
Boxing Tips

Top 4 Effective Boxing Tips for Beginners

If it’s your first time in the boxing gym, then you probably won’t really know what to do unless you have a program. Even if you do have a trainer, it pays to have some boxing knowledge beforehand so you won’t have a hard time. Here are top 4 effective boxing tips for beginners. 1. Perfect Your Stance : As a beginner, the first thing you’ll probably think about is getting the best boxing gear you can find. However, it’s better to think about your stance first. A sloppy stance will make you either lose your balance or decrease the power of your punch. So you have to make sure your stance is your foundation. To attain a good stance, make sure your front foot is a few inches away from your back foot. Stand in a way that you’re most comfortable. Just make sure your feet are shoulder-width apart. After that, angle your front foot around 15 degrees and your back foot 45 degrees. Put your chin down but your eyes facing forward. Bring your arms up with your left hand guarding your chin and your right hand in front of your left. Make sure your elbows are tucked in tight. Lastly, keep your knees bent so that you’re in a comfortable position. From this stance, practice moving around to see if you’re comfortable. 2. Breathe Properly : If you watch all those old kung-fu movies like the old Jackie Chan or Jet Li ones, you’ll notice that the old grandmaster will tell the protagonist to always focus on breathing. That’s actually a real fighting technique that will help you conserve energy and power your punches. In boxing, the proper breathing involves slowly breathing in when you prepare and breathing out sharply while you punch. So as a beginner, practice breathing in when you’re about to punch and breathe out through your mouth with an “ssh” sound as you punch. 3. Keep Elbows In : Whenever you guard or you punch, it’s always important to keep your elbows tucked in close to your body. This positioning of the elbows allows you to throw quick and sharp punches. If the elbows are close to the body, the posture allows you to piston your punch forward, making it sting more. Aside from that, keeping your elbows in also allows you to quickly defend your body just in case you’re about to be hit by a body shot. This will also prevent your funny bone from getting hit by a punch. 4. Perfect the One-Two : The very first combo you’ll ever learn is the one-two punch which involves a jab and a cross. Sure, it may be a very basic punch combo, but if you perfect it, you’ll be able to throw it naturally, helping you create knockouts. To throw a good one-two, throw a jab and slightly step forward. After that, pull back your jab and move slightly again and throw your backhand while twisting your hips. This twist will power up your punch and deal a lot of damage. Conclusion : If you happen to be a beginner without any knowledge about boxing, then here are a few tips to help you out. Sure, most coaches will teach you those techniques as a beginner, but it’s better if you know about them early on so that you’ll be able to get to the boxing training right away. So for those who are starting, always remember these top 4 effective boxing tips for beginners. Knowing them and maybe even practicing early on can really help supplement your training and make you better. Raed Also : Resistance Bands: The Best Tool For Your Home Gym Top 10 Muscle And Strength Building Exercise At Home 8 Home Gym Systems You’ll Want To Try Out Easy Diet Tips To Summer Six Pack Abs

READ MOREDetails