What to Expect During a Running Evaluation (and Why Every Runner Should Get One)
- Jeff Meadows
- Jul 28
- 2 min read
If you’re a runner dealing with nagging injuries, looking to improve performance, or simply trying to run more efficiently, a running evaluation might be exactly what you need. At Anti-Fragile Physical Therapy, our comprehensive running gait analysis goes far beyond a glance at your stride. It’s a deep dive into how your body moves—and how to make it move better.
Why Get a Running Evaluation?
Running is a repetitive, high-impact activity that demands a lot from your body. Small inefficiencies in your movement patterns can lead to big problems over time—think knee pain, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, or hip issues. A running gait analysis helps uncover those inefficiencies before they become full-blown injuries.
But it’s not just for the injured. Whether you're training for your first 5K or your tenth marathon, a gait analysis can help you:
Improve your running efficiency
Identify and address muscular imbalances
Optimize form to reduce injury risk
Build confidence in your stride
What Happens During a Running Evaluation at AntiFragile PT?
Our process is designed to be thorough, informative, and tailored to you. Here’s what you can expect:
1. In-Depth Movement Assessment
Before we even look at your running form, we assess how your body moves in a variety of positions—single-leg squats, hip stability drills, trunk control movements, and more. This gives us a baseline of your strength, mobility, and motor control.
2. Video Gait Analysis
Next, you’ll run on a treadmill while we record video from multiple angles. We'll slow down the footage to analyze key phases of your gait cycle—looking at things like cadence, foot strike pattern, stride length, pelvic stability, and more.
3. Form and Technique Coaching
Based on what we see, we’ll guide you through simple, actionable adjustments to your form. Sometimes small changes in posture or cadence can make a huge difference in how you feel while running.
4. Personalized Plan
You’ll leave with a customized plan that may include running drills, strength training, mobility work, and tips for training progression. We want to set you up with tools that keep you running strong for the long haul.
The AntiFragile PT Difference
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all advice. Our clinicians specialize in working with runners of all levels and backgrounds, and we tailor every evaluation to your unique body, goals, and training history.
You can also expect to feel seen and heard—whether you’re a competitive athlete, a recreational jogger, or someone returning to running after pregnancy or injury.
As Jeff from AntiFragile PT says in this video, "We’re not just looking for what's wrong. We're helping you understand why it’s happening and what you can do about it."
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’ve been dealing with aches and pains, hitting a plateau in your training, or simply want to invest in your long-term running health, a running evaluation is a smart move.
Book your running gait analysis with us today, and let’s get you running stronger, more efficiently, and with greater confidence.
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