Runner's Analysis Program

The Runner’s Analysis Program is designed for runners of all ages and skill levels with the goals of injury prevention and performance enhancement.  Our expert and in depth analysis can detect running mechanics that have the potential for injury, as well as identify important factors the athlete can modify to train more effectively and to improve running performance.

• Our Expert Team
• Designed for Runners of All Ages and Abilities
• Preparing for the Analysis
• What to Expect During the Analysis
• Comprehensive Results Package
• Precautions

Our Expert Team

Our expert team of physical therapists, certified strength and conditioning specialists, and a registered clinical exercise physiologist and registered nurse work together to provide the running athlete with sport specific musculoskeletal and performance assessments along with complex 2-D video analysis utilizing state-of-the-art Dartfish© software.

Designed for Runners of All Ages and Abilities

The Runner’s Analysis Program is designed for runners of all ages and abilities including:

• Local, national, and international elite level athletes
• Cross country and track and field athletes
• Athletes training for short to mid-distance race events
• Athletes training for half, full or ultra marathons
• Biathletes or triathletes looking to gain a competitive edge
• Runner’s that have been injured in the past or have experienced pain with running
• The running athlete who has a desire to increase his or her knowledge about the art and science of running

Preparing for the Analysis

The runner’s specific intake form should be completed before arriving to the Sports Rehabilitation and Performance Center. This important questionnaire will provide our Performance Team with detailed information about the athlete’s medical and running history.

The athlete should wear proper running attire for the analysis.  Running shorts and shirt, sports bra for women, and the runner’s preferred running sneakers are recommended.

What to Expect During the Analysis

Upon arrival, a comprehensive sport specific musculoskeletal assessment is performed by the physical therapist.
This assessment includes evaluation of posture and core control, as well as measurement of lower body joint range of motion, muscle flexibility, and strength, to help identify imbalances that may predispose the running athlete to injury and/or compromise performance.

The performance specialist will then perform a sport specific fitness assessment, focusing on specific areas that enhance running performance. This includes tests for cardiovascular health, body composition analysis, lactate threshold, core strength and sport specific functional movement screens.

The athlete will then be videotaped running on a treadmill at both training and race paces, using multiple camera angles. This video is later evaluated by our Performance Team utilizing state of the art Dartfish© movement analysis software which enables us to identify biomechanics and movement patterns that may compromise performance and/or lead to injury.

The entire analysis will take approximately 2 hours to complete.

Comprehensive Results Package

Our Performance Team will analyze the data from the sport specific questionnaire, musculoskeletal and fitness assessments and Dartfish© video analysis and create a comprehensive results package. Detailed information concerning the efficiency and biomechanics of the individual’s running style will be included.

The athlete will also receive his or her running video analysis in the form of an interactive Dartfish Mediabook© with detailed comments on the different “key positions” of the running motion that can be played in slow or real time motion. This format will allow the athlete to view and print still photos for on field review. This valuable learning tool can also be shared with parents, trainers and running coaches.

Precautions

Please note that the athlete should not be experiencing pain when he or she begins this program. Athletes who are injured or are experiencing pain must obtain a letter of medical clearance from a physician before beginning the program.