Knee Pain, News, Physiotherapy, Sports Massage
What are the Benefits of Running Gait Analysis (RGA)
Dec
Running Gait Analysis is a study of the running process. You might have done an analysis of your foot arch at the footwear store before but that is just a part of the entire Running Gait Analysis. In RGA, slow motion video capture is used to record the entire gait cycle, from the initial foot strike through to the end of the swing phase. This analysis covers your body movement from top-to-toe so it takes into account how the other parts of your body, such as the knees, arms and hips, are moving. There are significant benefits from completing RGA for everyone — from occasional runners to marathon semi-professionals.
Improve performance
Many believe that performance in running is only relevant for the serious runners. This is a common misconception as performance benefits anyone who runs. Recreational runners can get a boost of every workout through improved performance. RGA improves performance by showing areas that you can optimize in your running. Often, we have customers with too much lateral movement during their stride. By doing RGA, runners will be able to sustain their run at a higher speed over a longer distance.
Prevent Injury
RGA can prevent future injuries by correcting your running style. For example, an analysis might identity a runner with a narrow stride. Upon further analysis, it can identity the issue and propose certain drills to increase stride width. This could help prevent injury that commonly arises among narrow stride runners such as knee or shin splint.
Improved rehabilitation process
RGA helps to identity muscles that need to get stronger or more flexible, and this can lead to a more effective rehabilitation process. Also, eliminating weakness in your running will help prevent injury recurrence.
Running Gait Analysis when combined with sports massage, will help to improve a runner’s technique. However, runners must take extra precaution to prevent overworking their body. Runners with recurring knee injuries are also advised to undergo knee physiotherapy on a regular basis.
