gait analysis questions

[Inkspellme]

hi.

my dd and I are doing the c25k program. we're at week 4. I seem to be fine but she is experiencing some leg pain. she's 16 and not overweight (size 10, 5'5" tall) but has always walked and now run with her feet facing outward. I have never said it to her but I would describe it as duck footed!

Anyhow, I was wondering if she would benefit from gait analysis? Is it worth it? We both bought new trainers for this but they are just generic trainers for running. Would there likely to be a big difference in what would be recommended?

thanks

Yes, definitely worth it IMO, there are a lot of different types of running shoes out there and getting the correct ones makes a big difference in terms of comfort and avoiding injury. I would take along the trainers you already have and see what the shop think about them. Our local shop charges for the analysis if you don't then buy trainers.

WRT to duck feet, I noticed about 10 years ago that I stood and walked like this, I was stood at the kitchen sink washing up and with backache, looked down at my feet which were turned out and had a moment of inspiration, I turned them straight and felt all the tension release from my back. I then started looking at how I walked, I was doing the same and I managed to retrain myself to walk straight over a few weeks, definitely felt better for it.

I went to a specialist shop and did gait analysis. They didn't charge and (although the trainers weren't cheap) I felt much better in my new trainers.

Gait analysis when shopping for trainers tends - in my experience - to be mostly about the level of pronation, i.e. the extent to which you roll onto your inner or outer foot when running. The video would show the feet facing outward - but I don't think there are trainers that will correct that for you...

That said, I would always go for gait analysis for your first pair of running shoes, that might be what's causing the leg pain. There may not be a big difference in what's recommended, but as a new runner it will help you to understand your running style and possible areas of weakness.

A physio might be a better bet for the feet turning outwards; or a good yoga teacher. Most of us have feet that have a tendency to want to turn out, but it's inefficient for running (you want all your energy to take you forward - the rotation of the feet will waste some of that energy)

As WhoKnows says - it might be a back problem that's causing the legs to turn out. It might be a back problem that's causing the leg pain (if the back can't won't do the work, the legs have to work extra hard). I would definitely look into it - it is much easier to prevent injuries, than to cure them

Yes, physio is a good idea. I'm in my 40s and have some very ingrained bad postural habits that have caused quite a lot of problems over the years, I am learning a lot now through pilates and physio but it would have been better sorted out when I was young. Of course I probably wouldn't have listened to anybody back then!

thanks everyone for your very helpful comments. they've given me a lot to think about. my dd was born with hip displaxia (dislocated hips) and was in a harness for her first six weeks. she was given the all clear but now I can't help wondering if there is any connection or is it simply bad habbits.