Gait Assessment
in Bristol
Reduce the risk of running related injuries
What is a Gait
Assessment
Everyone is unique. Limb length, posture, muscular strengths and weaknesses, old injuries, body weight, shape and size all affect how we walk and run. Textbooks may advocate for an “ideal” gait, but in practice everyone has imbalances to some degree, and the body adapts around them in its own way. Running atypically doesn’t mean you’re doomed to shin splints or back pain.
But there’s a limit to how much the body can adapt before the accumulated stress and strain takes its toll. That’s where Gait Assessment helps.
Uncovering the Root Cause
Observing how you walk and run helps uncover the causal factors behind existing pain, and ideally addresses them before they develop into something worse.
What’s Involved:
- Full assessment of gait mechanics
- Highlight potential risk factors associated with gait dysfunctions
- Highlighting what you're already doing well and don't need to correct
- Exercises and cues that will help to address potential risk factors
- Exercises to aid any current running related pain symptoms
- Full write up report of Gait Assessment
Who It's For
This Gait Assessment is for new runners just starting out with couch to 5km, as well as novice to intermediate runners training for anything from 10km to marathon distances. It’s also suited to sportsmen and women who run during games, and anyone who experiences pain when walking, hiking or running — it’s not only for athletes.
For In Person sessions only, the assessment additionally includes muscle testing for weakness and imbalances, a muscle firing sequence test to check whether muscle groups are coordinating properly, and movement pattern tests designed to expose any weaknesses under load which may transfer over to running.
In terms of what’s required from you: for an Online Assessment, you’ll need to provide video footage of treadmill walking or running; for an In Person session, you’ll need either video footage of treadmill walking or running, or access to a treadmill at home.
Get in touch for more details on booking a gait assessment and what’s involved.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be an experienced runner to book a Gait Assessment?
No. It’s suited to complete beginners doing Couch to 5K right through to marathon runners, and to anyone who gets pain walking or hiking, not just running.
What's the difference between an Online and In Person assessment?
Both analyse your gait mechanics from video footage. In Person sessions go further, adding muscle testing, muscle firing sequence tests, and movement pattern tests under load, giving a fuller picture of what’s driving any dysfunction.
What do I get at the end of the assessment?
A full written report covering what’s working well, any risk factors identified, and specific exercises and cues to address them or ease existing pain.