Ask the Coach: Running gait analysis

Do you think it’s important to get my running gait analysed? I’ve been running for a good ten years now and seem to be picking up more injuries whilst trying to get quicker in my Half Marathons

Jamie B

Running coach answer
Mike Gratton:

This is always an interesting question, and the answer is, it depends. If you are prone to injury then yes, you need to find where the injuries are coming from. If you can visibly see inefficiencies, which might include overstriding, leaning back, leaning (too far) forward, bouncing on your toes, flat-footed, and knees turning in excessively, I would say yes, a running gait analysis could help to strength supporting areas and make you more efficient.

At my prime I did have a couple of tests, these were mostly for the benefit of publicity for the companies (newspaper reporters) who requested it. I have a forward lean and my back lift isn’t very high, with an excessive twist in my shoulders. This was deemed to be caused by tight hip flexors. I did a lot of exercises to improve flexibility in my hip flexors, moved a lot of weights in the gym, did long stretches, everything I was advised to do. Improvement was marginal, and probably I was at the genetic limit of the stretch in my muscles and tendons. In another test, I was compared to Hugh Jones, who won the London Marathon the year before me.

They found that Hugh had a much longer stride than me, and greater flexibility in the ankles, whoever, he was not using all of that flexibility. My foot at the end of a stride was coming off the ground sooner, but I was using all of the flexibility in my ankles.

Hugh ran 2.09.24 and I ran 2.09.43. In the end, we had very similar abilities, but very different running styles, which were our blueprint… I still fear it is best not to tinker too much with your natural style.

Have a running training question? Ask Mike for free, and we’ll share the answer online for everyone to benefit! Send your question over to us today.