Computerised Running Gait Analysis

Since 2005 we have provided  free Dartfish computerised running gait analysis, or running style assessment, to all our customers when buying their running shoes.

As shown in our buyers guide to running shoes there are different shoe types to meet different running styles, and whilst a "home" test such as the "wet test" can give a good indication as to your probable running gait, based upon your likely arch type; computerised video gait analysis, can give both you and ourselves a far clearer diagnosis of your running style, and therefore enable us to put you in the right shoe.

Following our initial discussions regarding where you are running, how far, how often and your aspirations, together with whether you are suffering recurring injuries, we will take a thermo imprint of your arch, to gain a clearer understanding of your arch type.  Then we get to the good bit! the Gait Analysis. 

This involves you running for a short period of time on a treadmill in a neutral or unstructured shoe, whilst we film you.  We then playback the video using state of the art software from Dartfish, which allows us to carry out a detailed slow motion analysis  and freeze frame at the critical points. As importantly you are able to view this as we explain what is happening.  From this and in conjunction with our earlier discussions, we are able to recommend a style of shoe.  However as different manufactures suit different foot shapes, you are able to test the shoe on the treadmill to find the perfect fit.  Whilst you are doing this, we will record  and playback before and after comparisons, to ensure that the shoe is doing what is required of it.

So whether you are buying your 1st or 5th pair it is always a recommended to get on the treadmill and be filmed - the correct shoes can prevent so many injuries.