Introduction
I’m just a beginner. Is Gait Analysis for me? Is it just for elite runners and athletes?
At The Run Hub we are about getting people in the right footwear that suits you. Getting your gait analysed is important no matter what level you are at whether it be beginner or elite.
What is Gait Analysis and who needs it?
Gait analysis is the study of human motion to identify biomechanical inefficiencies and help identify running/walking related problems that may result in injury.
Why is Gait Analysis Important?
Running shoes are the most important piece of equipment a runner will ever need. Figuring out what shoe you need can be difficult with some people picking a shoe based on price, colour or a recommendation from a friend. At The Run Hub we use Gait Analysis to help you figure out what shoe YOU need and what suits YOUR unique running style/gait.
Surely if I just buy an expensive pair of shoes they will meet all my needs?
No two runners are the same and as a result there is no one shoe that suits all. Runners differ in fitness, weight, biomechanic efficiency, degree of pronation and many more variables, all of which make the shoe fitting process a far more complicated process than some people believe.
What is the best shoe for running?
No two runners are the same and as a result there is no one shoe that suits all. Runners differ in fitness, weight, biomechanic efficiency, degree of pronation and many more variables, all of which make the shoe fitting process a far more complicated process than some people believe.
Do you accept One4All vouchers?
Currently, we only accept Me2You vouchers.
Is the footwear sizing shown in UK or US sizing?
All footwear sizing displayed is in UK format.
Why The Run Hub For Gait Analysis?
What training do The Run Hub staff have in Gait Analysis?
At The Run Hub we take all the guessing out of shoe selection with our fully transparent 5-step Gait Analysis driven fitting process. All our team are fully trained in Gait Analysis and combine this with extensive knowledge of the anatomy of the feet and legs, and a comprehensive understanding of running related injuries.
Why should I come to visit your store for Gait Analysis?
Not only will a visit to one our stores get you in the right shoes, you can also avail of the extensive knowledge about all things running our friendly team have to offer. Our aim is to help you improve your biomechanical efficiency, optimise performance, reduce risk of injury and ultimately bring more comfort and enjoyment to your running.
Do you use specialized equipment or video analysis?
At The Run Hub we offer Natural Gait Analysis and use expert video analysis to record and breakdown your running gait piece by piece. This process involves an initial assessment of your arch heights, foot width and size, an injury history discussion, followed up by you doing a short jog on our customised track with a full video analysis by one of our running team experts. Following this, we then carry out a second Gait Analysis of you running in a range of different brands and shoe types suited to your gait. e.g. neutral cushioned, stability or motion control shoes.
So what differentiates The Run Hub’s Natural Gait Analysis from treadmill or pressure plate foot assessment?
We have tried all different methods used in the market but find assessing your gait by watching you run naturally produces the best possible results.
In simple terms the key difference can be explained as follows:
Road Running:
Runner moves, and ground is static. Here the runner’s legs create the propulsive forces to move forward. At The Run Hub, we use our 20m track to reflect real outdoor running.
Treadmill Running:
Ground moves and the runner is static. The treadmill belt creates the propulsive force and the leg muscles take on a more stabilising role to keep us on the belt. Additionally, there is a slight adjustment in the hip alignment which can affect how the feet interacts with the ground, altering your gait.
The major focus of our Gait Analysis is focusing on the degree of pronation (natural inward roll of the foot as the outside part of the heel strikes the ground). This is how the body absorbs the shock and distributes the loading forces as your foot pivots on the ground.
What does The Run Hub’s Gait Analysis involve?
At The Run Hub we help you figure out what shoe YOU need and what suits YOUR unique running style/gait. Finding the right shoe can make a world of difference in terms of comfort and help avoid injuries and make your running more enjoyable. All of our team are runners and are fully trained in all areas of running biomechanics.
The Run Hub offers Natural Gait Analysis and use expert video analysis to record and breakdown your running gait piece by piece. This process involves an initial assessment of your arch heights, foot width and size, an injury history discussion, followed up by you doing a short jog on our customised track with a full video analysis by one of our running team experts.
Following this, we then carry out a second Gait Analysis of you running in a range of different brands and shoe types suited to your gait. e.g. neutral cushioned, stability or motion control shoes.
Advanced Questions & Answers
What specifically does “Pronation” mean?
Pronation is the natural inward roll of the foot as the outside part of the heel strikes the ground.
As well as the term “Pronators” I’ve heard “Supinators” and “Underpronator” also being used in relation to Gait Analysis. What do they mean?
Supination is essentially the opposite to pronation…The foot rolls outwards when in motion. Runners with very high arches may supinate and this is usually shown via excessive wear on the lateral side of the shoe sole. Essentially the foot does not roll inwards when in mid-stance and this can result in additional stress being placed on the outside of the foot.
What is the Wet Foot Test?
You may have heard of this test to help you choose the correct footwear, but this is an over simplification of the biomechanics involved and is regularly contradicted by the findings of detailed Gait Analysis. This thought process classifies footwear simply into neutral (high arch), stability (low arch) and motion control (flat arch and widening of the foot). The problem with tests such as this is that it is a static test and fails to consider the dynamic movement of one’s foot when in motion (running or walking).
What if I need customized orthotics?
We are experts in fitting insoles and customised orthotics. It is our belief that while there is no one shoe that suits all, there is a shoe on the market for everyone. In extreme circumstances, runners may have to resort to customized orthotics. We always advise that this should be a last resort and not a route to take unless all else fails. At The Run Hub, all of our team are experts in fitting custom made orthotics that have been prescribed by various practitioners. Orthotic depth, width and background knowledge of the reason for the orthotics are all factors in correct shoe selection to optimise the effects on one’s biomechanics.