My running gait analysis at Runnr
At noon yesterday, I was at Runnr for one very important task: get my running gait analysis as they have a video gait analyzer and they do it for free. I’ve been advised by runner friends Max, Gifford and Marlon to go there and have it analyzed so that I will know what kind of pronator I am and correspondingly, what kind of shoes I should get.
Now some basics from the New Balance website:
What is the running gait?
The running gait is a unique set of actions and reactions that your foot performs while in motion to support, cushion, and balance your body.
What is pronation?
Pronation is simply a normal foot in motion, from foot-strike on the outside of the heel through the inward roll of the foot. Pronation occurs as the foot rolls from the outer edge to the inner edge. Everyone pronates, and the initial pronation is considered an important and healthy response to the intense amount of shock imposed upon the foot and is integral to propelling you forward. If the foot pronates too much or too little and does so frequently, several biomechanical problems may result that will cause a decrease in performance and increase the possibility of injury.
Having one’s running gait analyzed is important to reduce the possibility of injuries, which is important whether or not you have health insurance, as no one wants to get hurt, let alone while exercising. At Runnr, its a treadmill equipped with a video camera at the back, a laptop at the side which the operator handles and a monitor infront. With bare feet, I ran for a few seconds and later, the attendant looked at the results. In slow motion, he pointed out that my right foot overpronates a little bit than my left but both, mildly. From the same site:
Overpronators generally land in a pronated position and continue to roll significantly inward as they go from heel strike to toe off…
Because of this, I was advised to look for running shoes for stability. Even if you don’t go to Runnr, both at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig and Ayala Center in Cebu, you can actually check what kind of pronator you are. Just check the same New Balance website I’ve pointed out above. I did this and I can say that I do overpronate.
The advantage, however, of getting the high tech analysis is that the guesswork of being an overpronation (one needs a shoe for stability) and severe overpronation (one needs a shoe for motion control) or under pronate (one needs the shoe to be cushioned) or if one’s gate is normal (neutral) is eliminated.
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Estan Cabigas is a multiawarded blogger, freelance photographer and a newbie runner based in Makati City, the Philippines. A true blue Cebuano, he makes stunning images and meaningful photo stories. He has writtten for CNN Go and his photograph published in the May 2010 issue of the National Geographic Magazine. To know more about him and his photography, visit estancabigas.com.
I'm Estan Cabigas, a freelance photographer blogger and traveler. I just started to seriously run last 2 March 2010 and for the past few months, I've improved greatly in my running as well as lost pounds in the process. I'm gunning for a full marathon by 2011. I shoot races as well.
My flagellant image is Editor's Choice in the National Geographic Magazine May 2010 issue.
Fantastic Post! Gait analysis is used to assess, plan and treate individuals with conditions affecting their ability to walk. It is also commonly used in sports such as athletics to help athletes run more efficiently and to identify posture-related or movement-related problems in people with injuries.
@progait, thanx for this info
where can i have a gait analysis? thank you
Jon, you can have it at RUNNR branches in Cebu (Ayala) or Manila (BHS)