Running Analysis: Case Study

With this blog post, I am going to show you how at Mr Salus Sporting Lab we perform our high-tech running assessment and its full report.

Our running technique analysis includes a full postural assessment that aims to understand the influence of body posture on the running technique and performance.

Furthermore, before analyzing the running technique we collect data from the gait analysis ( walking analysis ) to make a comparison between walking and running parameters that will reveal if the running technique has new issues that were not present during the walking analysis.

In some cases, we are going to analyze the performance of orthotics and/or insoles when the runner is using them during running training or competition.

Our Running Analysis Report will include many tips on how to correct and improve body posture, running technique, and muscle imbalances, that all together are going to improve running performance.

Body Posture Analysis

  • Light Overload Right Foot ( +1% ).
  • Overload Left Heel ( +12.7% ).
  • Right Forefoot Load higher than Left ( +12.7% ).
  • Good Body Balance despite shifting on the left ( 10.7mm ).
  • Peak of forces on left and right heels ( red-yellow spots ).
  • Peak of forces on the right forefoot ( red-yellow spots ).
  • Right and Left Forefoot Load higher than ideal ( 33% ).
  • Right and Left Heels Load lower than the ideal value ( 66% ).
  • Left Hallux Light overload.
  • Overload Left Foot ( +5.4% – higher than barefoot stance analysis ).
  • Light Overload Left Heel ( 9.7% lower than barefoot analysis ).
  • Right Forefoot Load higher than Left ( 9.7% lower than barefoot analysis ).
  • Good Body Balance despite shifting on the left ( 11.5mm Opposite to barefoot stance analysis ).
  • Light Peak of forces on both forefoot ( green spots ).
  • Right Forefoot Load higher than ideal ( 33% ).
  • Right Heels Load lower than ideal ( 66% ).

Gait Analysis

Gait Analysis
  • Light Peak of forces on Left and Right Forefoot ( green spot ).
Gait Analysis Report
  • Excessive Right Foot External Rotation ( 13.8° ).
  • Light Left Foot External Rotation ( 9.3° ).
  • Light Stance Phase Imbalance between Left and Right leg ( +2.1% Left ).
  • Light Swing Phase Imbalance between Left and Right leg ( +2.1% Right ).
  • Good Gait Line Length on both feet.
  • The single Support Line is not homogeneous on both feet ( less homogeneous on the right foot ).
  • Not a correct heel strike as it deviates inside.
  • Butterfly’s Lines are not homogeneous.
  • Lateral Symmetry shifted to the right side (9mm).
  • Anterior / Posterior Variability ( 3mm ).
  • Good Camel’s back Shape of the average force line.
Feet Pressure Scan, Gait Analysis
  • Max Force imbalances for left and right midfoot ( +125N left ).
  • Light Imbalance for Max Force for left and right heel ( +68N left ).
  • Max Force Time % of stance time imbalances for left and right heel ( +15.9% Right ).
  • A light imbalance between the left and right foot for time to change heel to forefoot ( +6.7% Right ).

Running Analysis

Running Technique Analysis
  • Light Peak of forces on both forefoot ( yellow spots more on the right foot ).
Running Techinque Analysis
  • Light Right Foot External Rotation ( 9.3° decreased from walking analysis )
  • Within normal range Left Foot External Rotation (5.4° decreased from walking analysis).
  • Light Step Length Imbalance ( +4cm Right )
  • Good Stance Phase balance ( +0.5% Right ).
  • Good Swing Phase balance ( +0.5% Left ).
  • Cadence could be increased to 165-170 Steps/minute.
  • Step Length could be increased targeting a 5% increase.
Running Analysis, Butterfly Running Parameters
  • Short Gait Line Length on both feet.
  • Single Support Line not homogeneous on both feet ( more right foot ).
  • Missed the heel strike line.
  • Butterfly’s Lines are not homogeneous.
  • Lateral Symmetry shifts to the right side of 70mm.
  • Anomalous gait line on the external forefoot ( more right foot )
  • Missed Camel’s back Shape of the average force line on the left and right foot.
Feet Pressure Scan, Running Analysis
  • Max Force Imbalance on left and right midfoot ( +92N Right ).
  • Light Max Force Imbalance for left and right heel ( +10 Left ).
  •  Max Force Time % of stance time imbalances on the left and right heel ( +4% Right ).
  • Max Force Time % of stance time imbalances on left and right midfoot ( +6% Right ).
  • Max Pressure Imbalance on the left and right midfoot ( +9N/cm2 Right ).

 

Video Postural Assessment

  • Elevated Left Hip.
  • Shoulders Imbalance.
  • Suspect of Light Scoliosis ( X-rays for further assessment if needed ).
Video Postural Assessment
  • Upper body bending to the right side.
High-Tech Postural Assessment
  • Light anterior pelvic tilt.
  • Weak abdominals.
  • Rounded/Protracted Shoulders.
  • Light Forward Head.
Hallux Valgus High-Tech Analysis
  • Light Varus Knees.
  • Hallux Valgus ( more left foot ).
  • Light valgus ankle ( iper-pronation more left foot ).
  • Flat Feet ( Low arch more on the left foot ).
  • Flat Feet 1°- 2°
  • Suspect that the left leg is longer than the right one.
  • Right Gluteus and hamstring Stiffness and light Hypertrophy.
  • Left foot supination at rest.

 

Quad and Calves Muscles Circumferences

ARM

L

R

WAIST

 

HIP

 

TIGHT

L

50 cm

R

51 cm

CALF

L

36.5 cm

R

37.3 cm

EXERCISE PLAN TO IMPROVE RUNNING PARAMETERS AND POSTURE

  • Core Muscle strengthening to reduce the forefeet load and reduce the anterior pelvic tilt.
  • Core Muscles strengthening to stabilize gait lines and posture balance.
  1. Gluteus Strengthening ( isolation exercises ).
  2. Abdominals Strengthening ( isolation exercises ) – Avoid sit-ups and Rise legs for the first three months as they are hip flexors strengthening.
  • Reduce hip flexors and quad stiffness ( right more than left ) to reduce the forefeet overload:
  1. https://mrsalussportinglab.com/pain-management/visual-stretching-guide/hip-flexors-stretching/
  2. https://mrsalussportinglab.com/pain-management/visual-stretching-guide/quad-and-leg-stretching/
  3. https://mrsalussportinglab.com/pain-management/visual-stretching-guide/hip-stretching/

 

  • Stretching exercises more on the right-hand side of the body’s muscle chain to reduce the bending on the right-hand side.
  • Back Exercise ( file attached ) to reduce Rounded/Protracted Shoulders, forward head, and Overloading of the forefeet.
  • Feet exercises ( file attached ) to reduce the flat feet and the iper-pronation
  • Calf and Foot stretching to reduce the stiffness of the lower leg’s muscles.
  1. https://mrsalussportinglab.com/pain-management/visual-stretching-guide/calf-and-foot-stretching/

 

  • Leg Internal rotator muscles strengthening to reduce the right foot’s external rotation ( Video exercises ).
  • As stated in the report above we could improve the three parameters: Step Length, Cadence ( Steps Per Minute), and Lateral Symmetry. The best way to improve these parameters by yourself is to follow the tips in our blog post ( The three best running parameters to improve your running performance ), otherwise we can help you with our Running Technique Training.
  • Arms’ movements do not have a correct positioning: elbows are abducted too much from the body, increasing the tension on upper shoulders and reducing the pushing phase of arms. 

      Correction: Try to keep the elbows closer to the upper body, and lift and push forward the hands/fists at the same level. 

  • Light shoulder and elbow imbalances.
  • You have to improve your foot strike by implementing more heel strikes for a better distribution of your landing forces, and gait lines, and reduce the stress on the Achilles tendon.

All the information above is our running analysis full report, where we analyze and explain all the data about running parameters and techniques.

In the final part of the report, there are a series of tips on how to improve both the running parameters and technique.

Furthermore, there are many tips about how to improve muscle flexibility and joint range of motion with stretching exercises.

There is a complete strengthening exercise plan to improve muscle imbalances and muscle weakness.

If you have any questions about this running analysis report or any doubt you want me to clarify, please feel free to comment in the box below. I will respond to you as soon as possible.

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