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 is designed to provide 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 analyse the interaction between the foot, ankle, knee, hip and pelvis throughout the running gait cycle in real time. Unlike observational treadmill analysis alone, 3D gait analysis provides objective data on joint motion, cadence, stride characteristics, pelvic control, limb symmetry and running mechanics, allowing subtle inefficiencies and compensations to be identified with far greater precision. This enables us to understand not only how you run, but how your movement strategy may influence loading, tissue stress and overall running economy.
The assessment is designed specifically for runners and combines biomechanical analysis with clinical interpretation to identify the key factors that may be limiting performance or contributing to recurring injury. We assess variables such as over-stride mechanics, vertical oscillation, ground contact characteristics, pelvic and trunk control, hip extension, knee mechanics, foot strike behaviour and asymmetrical loading patterns. These findings are interpreted alongside injury history, training demands, footwear and individual running goals to create a complete picture of how your body responds to running load. Whether you are managing Achilles tendon pain, plantar heel pain, shin pain, calf tightness, knee pain or recurrent overload injuries, 3D gait analysis helps identify the movement and loading strategies that may be contributing to tissue stress and reduced running efficiency.
Following the assessment, you receive a detailed running-specific report outlining key biomechanical findings, objective movement data and personalised recommendations tailored to your running profile. Recommendations may include running technique modifications, footwear guidance, strength and conditioning priorities, cadence strategies, rehabilitation planning or return-to-running progression advice. For performance-focused runners, the assessment can also help identify opportunities to improve movement efficiency, reduce unnecessary energy cost and optimise running mechanics for training and racing. By combining advanced technology with sports medicine and running-specific expertise, our goal is to help runners move better, tolerate training loads more effectively and perform with greater confidence.
For a more complete performance and injury-risk profile, 3D Gait Analysis can be combined with our VALD Sports Performance Screening service. While gait analysis assesses how you move during running, VALD testing measures the physical qualities underpinning those mechanics, including strength, power, asymmetry, reactive strength and load tolerance. Combining biomechanical and performance data helps identify whether movement compensations are driven by limitations in strength, control or tissue capacity, allowing rehabilitation, strength and conditioning, footwear advice and performance strategies to be more precisely targeted. This integrated approach is particularly valuable for runners aiming to reduce injury risk, improve running efficiency and optimise long-term performance.
- Improves individualised rehabilitation, footwear and orthotic recommendations tailored to your movement and activity demands
Combining clinical assessment with biomechanical data allows rehabilitation, 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.
