Runners - has anyone tried gait analysis and would you recommend it?

[fridayschild]

I am about to buy some new trainers and I have been thinking about gait analysis for some time as I'm not happy with the current pair. Runners World has just listed gait analysis as advisable for someone of my advanced (over 40) years... I'm not quite sure why, although I did read the article more than once! Has anyone been "done"? Any tips?

Hiya. I had gait analysis done at a similar shop before they would sell me a pair of running shoes. I had to run on a treadmil which they filmed and showed me back so \i could see how I was pronating (sp?) and then sold me a pair of shoes accordingly. I think in other shops you just run in the street and they watch you. Seems to make sense so you get the correct shoes. Not sure what the over 40 thing is about. I thought it was appropriate for all runners...

Yes, they usually do it at running shops.

I would guess you will be told that you over pronate and need a new pair of shoes .

I think it is a good thing if you are in the market for a new pair of running shoes anyway. If you are not, I would be extremely surprised if they said "yes, your current trainers are absolutely fine, off you go"!

I think the age thing is probably just because the older you are, the more cautious you should be about joint pain etc.

My local running shop has a treadmill and machine fro gait analysis and they use it to sell you the right pair of trainers - i.e do you need gel implants at the side, extra cushioning etc. I dont know if it would be worth it if you werent about to but some more shoes (they might use it as an excuse to sell you some you didnt want?) but I have to say, the ones I got when I went in specifically to get some and had it done are the best I've had - really comfortable and, I think, helping performance. Mind you I had really old cheap ones before.

I had gait analysis at a professional running shop, only to discover later on that the advice I was given was completely wrong. I had plantar fasciitis - a common running injury - and so subsequently went to see a physiotherapist who specialised in running injuries, who also analysed my gait as part of the assesment and treatement. So, my advice is to be careful and get it analysed by someone who knows what they are talking about. The guy in the shop obviously knew a lot about running, but very little about the biomechanics of the body and running gait. Lot's of foot clinics/podiatrists offer biomechanical gait analysis. I would go there first before going to a professional running shop.

I would definately advice having it done though, because as I found out, the wrong pair of shoes can put you out of action for months.

Interesting, thank you all. I think I will avoid the local running shop on Sunday afternoon, when the place seems to be run by sixth formers, and go when a grown up is there instead!