Whether you’re a seasoned competitive marathoner, or just lacing up your shoes for the first time, understanding your running style and making necessary improvements can significantly improve your running experience and prevent those frustrating sports injuries. A Running Gait Analysis is a key service that allows you to measure your running form, understand your unique gait, and reduce the risk of injury. In the first part of this series, we discussed what Running Gait Analysis is, how it is usually performed, and the benefits of doing a Running Gait Analysis. In this second part, we will look at the Runeasi 3D technology we use, its benefits, and the unique and unparalleled insights it delivers.
What is Runeasi?
Runeasi is a revolutionary 3D gait analysis instrument that uses a scientifically validated, state-of-the-art biomechanics sensor to track the acceleration of your body’s centre of mass during running or walking (Fig 1). By doing so, Runeasi captures the impact your body is subject to during running (Fig 2) and uses AI technology to assess how your body responds to this impact. Through this process, it detects issues such as poor movement control, instability, overload and asymmetry.
Additionally, this AI technology will give you an overall Running Quality Score to grade your running. It will give specific recommendations on exercises and running techniques to improve your running quality. At Podiatry Quest, a full report with the findings and recommendations will be provided at the end of the session.
Runeasi provides real-time objective data that measures a runner’s weakest links that are invisible to the naked eye (Figure 4). This allows data-driven personalised training recommendations to be made and progress to be measured. All of this is interpreted and synthesised into a convenient, easy-to-understand report for you.
3 Components of Runeasi
Runeasi’s Running Quality Score comprises three biomechanical components. This allows you to dissect your running form and understand your weakest links accurately. They are: 1) dynamic stability, 2) impact loading, and 3) symmetry
1. Dynamic stability
Dynamic stability represents the amount of side-to-side hip movement during the ground contact phase of running. It captures the amount of energy not contributing to forward movement.
A low dynamic stability score represents an inefficient running gait that also increases the risk of injury. Recent research showed that this parameter is linked to energy cost of running (Schutte 2018) and is an important biomechanical risk factor in overuse injuries (Pla et al. 2021).
2. Impact loading
Impact loading is measured by the amount of force and the time this force takes to reach your lower back immediately after the foot hits the ground.
The magnitude of impact is the peak value of this force and is the indicator of the total amount of running load.
Impact duration is the amount of time that this force takes to reach your lower back. It demonstrates the rate of loading and explains how well load is absorbed by the lower legs.
Both parameters are strongly linked to patients with running-related injuries (Burke et al. 2022) and are most accurate to measure cumulative impact load (Vanwanseele et al. 2020).
3. Gait Symmetry
Measuring gait asymmetry is very important for any runner. Movement dysfunctions during running and walking can prolong for years with an injury (White et al. 2013; Thomson et al. 2018).
Gait asymmetry is directly linked with energy cost in running gait (Melo et al. 2020)
Experience the Runeasi Difference with Podiatry Quest
Podiatry Quest is proud to be the first and only Podiatry practice in Singapore and the region to be using Runeasi. We believe in harnessing the best scientifically validated and practical technology, and combining it with practitioner expertise to help take you to the next level!
If you’re a runner who is looking to elevate your running, stay injury-free, and enjoy your running, our 3D running gait analysis with Runeasi is for you. Contact us today to find out more or to book an appointment!
Article References:
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Burke, A. et al. (2022). Comparison of impact accelerations between injury-resistant and recently injured recreational runners. PLoS One. 17(9).
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Melo, C. C. (2020). Correlation between running asymmetry, mechanical efficiency and performance during a 10km run. Journal of Biomechanics. 109.
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Pla, G. A. et al. (2021). The Use of a Single Trunk-Mounted Accelerometer to Detect Changes in Center of Mass Motion Linked to Lower-Leg Overuse Injuries: A Prospective Study. Sensors (Basel), 21(21).
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Schutte, K. H. et al. (2018). Energy cost of running instability evaluated with wearable trunk accelerometry. Journal of Applied Physiology, 124(2), 462-472.
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Thomson, A. et. al. (2018). Marked asymmetry in vertical force (but not contact times) during running in ACL reconstructed athletes < 9 months post-surgery despite meeting functional criteria for return to sport. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. 21(9). 890-893.
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Vanwanseele, B. et al (2020). Accelerometer Based Data Can Provide a Better Estimate of Cumulative Load During Running Compared to GPS Based Parameters. Front Sports Act Living. 30(2).
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White K. et al. (2013).Gait Asymmetries Persist 1 Year After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. 2013;1(2).