3D Walking and Running Gait Analysis for Improved Performance and Enhanced Quality of Life

Most of us begin walking during our first year of life, toddling along until we get the hang of it, then developing the balance and coordination required to run, jump, skip and dance. But years of practice does not necessarily make perfect. Over time, we develop faulty movement patterns and imbalances that place wear and tear on our joints, muscles and tendons , and increases our risk of injury.

Gait analysis is not a new concept. Scientists have been using it for decades to study human function , improve athletic performance, rehabilitate injuries and promote functional motor skills in the elderly. But technology has given gait analysis a significant boost in recent years, changing our understanding of strength the way we analyze and retrain walking and running gait.

In recent decades, gait analysis results have relied primarily on two-dimensional videography to assess joint angles, with the technician drawing lines to indicate deficient motor patterns. The accuracy of 2D assessment relies largely on the skills and experience of the technician, and the perspective of the camera. Even at its best, 2D has a large margin of error, because it is limited to motion in the sagital plane of movement, where hip, knee and ankle flexion and extension take place.

However, the majority of walking and running injuries occur in the transverse plane of movement. If you had a camera looking straight down from above while you walked or ran, it would pick up rotational motion that cannot be detected, measured or evaluated with 2D. Without information about motion in the transverse plane, gait analysis has limited value for rehabilitation.

Today, the latest advances in technology have rendered 2D analysis almost obsolete. With 3D gait analysis, infrared cameras and reflective markers give a three dimensional view of walking and running gait.

3D gait analysis can:

• Precisely calculate joint angles and movement patterns in all three planes
• Compare left and right sides during walking and running
• Analyze rotational movements of the ankles, knees, hips and pelvis
• Evaluate the progress of rehabilitation after an injury
• Collect spatio-temporal data
• Measure running performance specific indicators

With data collected from 3D gait analysis, we can develop an individualized gait retraining program to improve gait, enhance performance and prevent injury.

All humans learn to walk and run at an early age, but imbalances can develop over time that reduce motor efficiency and increase the risk of injury. Whether you are an athlete wanting a competitive edge, recovering from an injury, need to improve your performance or simply want pain-free mobility for everyday function, gait analysis provides valuable data that helps us design a customized recovery program.

Pain syndromes and running performance are often caused by mechanical issues related to gait. Pain in your hip could be caused by faulty foot mechanics, or knee pain could be caused by imbalances in the pelvic region. Gait analysis helps us get to the source of the problem and correct it.

Gait analysis benefits include:

• Provides biomechanical data about walking and running efficiency
• Helps us pinpoint the true source of pain
• Give us information for treatment planning
• Accelerates the rehab process
• Helps us measure your recovery success with objective data
• Reveals the true source of faulty joint mechanics
• Improves sports performance
• Helps restore optimal gait after injury
• Helps us to analyze and compare running shoes
• Reduces injury risk

Gait analysis and retraining can help you enjoy a better quality of life on a daily basis, with less pain and reduced risk of injury from falls.