Gait Analysis Testing

Emma has just finished assessing motion – she has added to her Biomechanics Coaching screening with “Gait Analysis” testing .  Now we can be more thorough in testing the body both statically and in movement, and so get a bigger picture of the route causes of problems.

Testing is about looking at issues from all angles – ruling out possible causes to coming up with a plan of attack for either resolving discomfort or releasing the individual potential for top level performance.  It is about searching for perfection – finding the most perfect way a person can move or function within the limitations of their body, their lifestyle, their creation and their ambition.

Intrinsic Biomechanics Screening looks at the function of the joints and the ability of the body to produce life and sport actions from a static perspective – what the ability is.

Gait Analysis specialises in the lower body and looks at the flow of the body in movement.  If there is a lock up in any part of the chain then motion will not be as fluid as it could be.

The obvious place to look is at the feet – and all too often we use cushioning to alter this.  That is fine as a short term solution when there is an injury but it is not a long term fix.

The question is – why does the foot not land straight? – not that – it is not landing straight so lets chock it up.  We can see it is not straight.

But is it coming from the bottom of the leg or is it coming from the top of the leg?  If the hip is not sitting in neutral are the strings (muscles) down the leg not out of kilter and in the wrong tension so therefore will pull the knee and foot out of alignment?

We still see person after person with issues.  That are left until there is a major problem such as a knee injury or lower back pain.  Not enough emphasis is put on correct posture and straightness in our children at school.  This is where wear and tear begins.