3D Gait Analysis
3D Gait Analysis uses advanced motion capture technology to evaluate running biomechanics in detail. We go beyond what the eye can see to identify subtile movement patterns that may be impacting on performnce or contributing to injury.
Joint Kinematics
Assesses how the pelvis, hip, knee and ankle move throughout the gait cycle during walking or running. This helps identify inefficient movement patterns, compensation strategies and excessive joint motion that may contribute to pain, injury or reduced performance.
Spatiotemporal Parameters
Measure key running characteristics such as vertical excursion, cadence, stride length, contact time and step symmetry. These variables provide valuable insight into movement efficiency, loading patterns and overall running mechanics.
Gait Asymmetries
Assesses differences in movement and loading between the left and right side of the body during walking or running. Identifying asymmetries can help detect compensation strategies, reduced lower-limb control and potential contributors to injury or performance limitation.
Our 3D Gait Analysis service provides a detailed understanding of how you run and how your running mechanics may influence performance, efficiency and injury risk. Using advanced 3D motion capture technology, we objectively analyse the movement of the foot, ankle, knee, hip and pelvis throughout the running gait cycle in real time. Unlike observational treadmill assessments alone, 3D gait analysis captures precise biomechanical data relating to joint motion, cadence, stride characteristics, pelvic control, limb symmetry and overall running mechanics. This allows subtle movement inefficiencies and compensatory strategies to be identified with greater accuracy, providing valuable insight into how your movement patterns may influence loading, tissue stress and running economy.
Designed specifically for runners, our analysis combines objective biomechanical data with expert clinical interpretation to identify factors that may be limiting performance or contributing to recurrent injury. We assess key variables including over-stride mechanics, cadence, vertical oscillation, ground contact characteristics, pelvic and trunk control, hip extension, knee mechanics, foot strike behaviour and movement asymmetries. These findings are considered alongside your injury history, training load, footwear choices and performance goals to develop a comprehensive understanding of how your body responds to the demands of running.
For runners seeking a deeper understanding of the relationship between footwear and running mechanics, 3D Gait Analysis can be enhanced with Running Footwear Analysis using OnTracx wearable sensor technology. While 3D gait analysis provides detailed information on movement patterns and joint mechanics, OnTracx objectively quantifies the loads experienced by the body during running. By measuring variables such as impact forces, loading rates and limb symmetry, we can assess how different footwear influences the stresses placed on the foot, ankle, knee and hip, providing valuable insight into how footwear interacts with your individual biomechanics and may affect performance, comfort and injury risk.
For a more complete assessment, 3D Gait Analysis can be integrated with either our Sport & Musculoskeletal (MSK) Podiatry service or Athlete Profiling package. Combined with Sport & MSK Podiatry, gait findings are interpreted alongside joint mobility, muscle strength, tissue capacity, injury history and clinical presentation to identify the underlying contributors to pain and recurrent injury. When combined with Athlete Profiling, objective strength, power and movement testing using VALD technology allows us to assess not only how you move, but how you produce and absorb force. Together, these integrated services provide a comprehensive, data-driven framework to guide rehabilitation, strength and conditioning, training load management, footwear selection and performance development, helping runners and athletes move more efficiently, reduce injury risk and perform at their highest level.
- Improves individualised footwear and orthotic recommendations tailored to your movement and activity demands
Combining clinical assessment with biomechanical data allows footwear advice and orthotic interventions to be more specifically targeted to how you move and the demands of your activity or sport. - Designed to support injury recovery, improve movement efficiency and reduce the risk of recurrent injury or overload problems
Understanding how your body moves under load helps guide more effective treatment strategies aimed at improving movement quality, reducing excessive stress on tissues and supporting long-term resilience and performance. - Supports more informed return-to-running and performance decision making
Objective biomechanical data helps identify whether movement quality, loading tolerance and running mechanics have recovered appropriately, allowing progression back to training and competition to be guided with greater confidence and precision.
What YOU Receive
Comprehensive Analysis
Personalised Recommendations
Comprehensive Analysis
Comprehensive analysis of your running mechanics, including movement patterns throughout the pelvis, hip, knee and ankle.
Individual Feedback
Personalised Recommendations
Comprehensive Analysis
Individualised feedback on factors that may contribute to pain, injury risk, reduced efficiency or performance limitation.
Personalised Recommendations
Personalised Recommendations
Personalised Recommendations
Personalised recommendations for rehabilitation, strength work, gait modification, running footwear or load management strategies based on your assessment findings.
Detailed Report
Personalised Recommendations
Personalised Recommendations
A detailed report summarising your biomechanical findings, key areas of focus and management recommendations to support recovery and performance
Benefits of 3D Gait Analysis
Beginner Runners
Recreational Runners
Recreational Runners
For beginner runners, 3D gait analysis provides an opportunity to develop efficient running mechanics and movement habits early in the running journey. By objectively assessing factors such as cadence, overstride, lower-limb control and impact loading, we can identify movement patterns that may contribute to discomfort or increase injury risk as training volume progresses. The assessment also helps guide more individualised recommendations around footwear, training progression and rehabilitation exercises, allowing new runners to build confidence, improve comfort and establish a stronger foundation for long-term running participation.
Recreational Runners
Recreational Runners
Recreational Runners
For recreational runners, 3D gait analysis helps provide a deeper understanding of how movement patterns may influence running efficiency, comfort and injury risk. Many recreational runners experience recurring issues such as shin pain, calf tightness, Achilles problems or knee pain without fully understanding the underlying contributors. By assessing biomechanics throughout the pelvis, hip, knee and ankle, we can identify asymmetries, inefficient loading strategies and compensation patterns that may increase tissue stress over time. This information can then be used to guide rehabilitation, footwear advice and training progression strategies to help runners move more efficiently and remain consistent with training. .
Club Runners and Competitive Athletes
Club Runners and Competitive Athletes
Club Runners and Competitive Athletes
For club runners and competitive athletes, 3D gait analysis provides objective insight into the movement patterns that influence running efficiency, performance and injury risk under higher training loads. The assessment helps identify asymmetries, overstride characteristics, excessive braking forces and compensation strategies that may reduce running economy or increase tissue stress during training and racing. When combined with strength testing and rehabilitation, gait analysis helps guide highly individualised interventions aimed at improving movement efficiency, reducing overload risk and supporting performance progression.
Marathon, Ultra and Endurance Runners
Club Runners and Competitive Athletes
Club Runners and Competitive Athletes
For marathon, ultra and endurance runners, 3D gait analysis helps identify movement patterns that may influence running efficiency, fatigue and cumulative tissue loading over prolonged distances. The assessment provides objective insight into factors such as overstride, asymmetrical loading, lower-limb control and movement compensation that may contribute to reduced running economy or increased injury risk during high-volume training. Findings can then be used to guide footwear, rehabilitation and training strategies aimed at improving durability, efficiency and long-term load tolerance. .
FAQs
Do I need to be an athlete?
No. We help anyone who wants to recover from injury, move without pain and perform better in daily life or sport.
Do you assess suitability for running shoes? Yes, 3D gait analysis explores shoe categories including cushioned vs stability, carbon-plated racing models, minimalist footwear, providing objective data needed to make the right choices.
How long until I recover from pain or improve performance? Pain often improves within weeks when load drivers are addressed. Performance changes depend on your starting point and adherence. We will outline milestones and re-test dates.
Can I bring previous scans or reports?
Absolutely. They help us integrate your history and focus testing where it matters.
What is your cancellation policy? We require a minimum of 24 hours' notice for cancellation or rescheduling. Missed appointments or cancellations received with less than 24 hours' notice will incur the full consultation fee.
What should I bring? For any assessment, please bring your primary sports footwear, any relevant custom orthoses and shorts/clothing that allow clear viewing of your lower limb.
