Functional Running Assessment & Gait Re-Education in Relation to Sports
Running is a fundamental movement pattern that most humans learn at a young age. But as we grow older, different factors come into play that may alter our running gait and cause injuries. To prevent and manage these injuries, a functional running assessment and gait re-education program can be useful.
What is Functional Running Assessment?
Functional running assessment is the measurement of one’s physical and biomechanical abilities while running. It evaluates different components, including strength, flexibility, balance, mobility, posture, coordination, and gait patterns. A functional running assessment can help identify underlying issues that may cause injury or affect one’s performance.
Why is Gait Analysis Critical for Runners?
Gait analysis is a vital aspect of a functional running assessment. The gait cycle is an intricate mechanism that involves various body parts working together to produce forward movement. Any deviation from the normal gait pattern may lead to inefficiencies and compensations that may put stress on specific body segments.
A comprehensive gait analysis includes visual observation, palpation, and video analysis of the runner’s stance, walking, and running patterns. A good running assessment should also take into account the runner’s history, training regimen, orthotics, footwear, and any other factors that may influence their gait.
Moreover, gait re-education is not limited to correcting running form only. It is essential to modify general motor habits that present as overuse syndromes after repetitive use.
How Does Gait Re-Education Help Prevent Injuries?
The purpose of gait re-education is to correct inefficient movement patterns that may lead to overuse injuries, movement asymmetries, and musculoskeletal imbalances. Correcting these patterns helps improve running efficiency, energy conservation, and performance.
Gait re-education programs provide runners with techniques and exercises that promote proper mechanics and muscle activation during running. The exercises and drills are tailored to each runner’s specific needs and may include strengthening, stretching, mobilization, and proprioception exercises.
Conclusion
Running is a complex activity that involves various systems in the body working together to produce forward movement. A proper functional running assessment can help identify underlying issues that may cause injury or affect one’s performance. Moreover, gait re-education can improve running efficiency, energy conservation, and prevent injuries by correcting inefficient movement patterns. It is essential for athletes to prioritize increasing neuromuscular efficiency and motor pattern habituation to avoid any overuse syndromes that lead to inflexibility and faulty motor programming.