On Wednesday 16th June we were pleased to welcome local ladies running club, The Running Sisters, to our new clinic for a gait analysis taster evening. The evening provided an opportune time for the ladies to visit the new premises and gain some free advice on their training, running technique, footwear and any injuries they may have encountered.
Following the high attendance, we reviewed all of the video data we collected and found there were 2 main themes that shaped the evening.
Buying Blind
With the function of providing adequate support and cushioning to the foot as it hits the ground, the correct trainer is a vitally important piece of equipment for any runner. However, the sheer number of trainer brands and models that are widely available in sports shops nowadays, make buying the correct trainer a minefield.
Neutral Shoes – Provide cushioning for the foot as it impacts on the ground. This can be via gel, foam or wave systems. Not suitable for foot types that require support.
Structured / Stability – Provides cushioning, but has segments of the sole that are harder than other areas. The segments act to push the foot into a more ‘neutral’ position. Not suitable for foot types that do not supporting, this can block foot motion and cause problems.
We found that a number of people were running in trainers that were not suited to the needs of their feet. This included people using ‘neutral’ shoes, when their feet may have benefitted from some additional support, and others who were using ‘structured’ trainers when in fact their feet did not require support. It is important to remember that too much support can just be as problematic as too little.
The main reasons for this situation was a combination of individuals being unaware of what their feet were doing and/or unaware of the function of their trainers.
A gait analysis can give enough information to assess the needs of the individual and make accurate recommendations for suitable running trainers. This can help to decrease the risk of a number of running related injuries such as plantarfasciitis, ITB syndrome and Achilles tendinitis.
Running Specific Strength
In the majority of weightbearing activities your hips, and more specifically your Gluteal muscles, provide the majority of the power for movement and stability. If these become weak or dysfunctional, smaller muscles have to cover for them. In many cases the smaller muscles cannot cope with the extra workload and injuries occur.
We identified a number of people during our analysis that showed signs of gluteal dysfunction, a common occurrence in recreational athletes.
Adequate strength and endurance in the muscles responsible for stabilising the hips and pelvis can reduce the risk injury. More specifically, if we can control the pelvis and hips, there will be a reduction in wasted energy and movement, combined with an improvement of your PB time.
Training these muscles does not need to involve heavy weights or an expensive gym membership, as long as you train them accurately. At the Drummond Clinic, we are able to fully assess your strength needs and create a personalised, achievable program which you are able to complete at home.
If you have any questions about the subjects raised, or feel you may benefit from a gait analysis session please contact the Drummond Clinic Team on 01628 639 532.