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FAQs - Running Gait Analysis

• What is running gait analysis?

  Running gait analysis is a detailed assessment of how your body moves while running. At Podium Physiotherapy in Raynes Park, near Wimbledon, we assess your running mechanics, movement patterns, strength, mobility and training habits to identify factors that may contribute to pain, recurring injuries or reduced running efficiency.

  Our unique outdoor running gait analysis, combined alongside a full physiotherapy assessment, we can help runners better understand how they move and develop a personalised plan to improve performance and reduce injury risk.

• How can gait analysis help running injuries?

  Running gait analysis can help identify movement patterns, training errors or strength deficits that may contribute to common running injuries such as shin splints, Achilles pain, runner’s knee, IT band syndrome and hip pain.

  At our Wimbledon and Raynes Park running clinic, we combine gait analysis with a full physiotherapy assessment to understand the bigger picture — not just how you run, but why symptoms may be developing. This allows us to create an individual rehab plan tailored to your goals, training and injury history.

• What happens during a running gait assessment?

  Your running gait assessment begins with a discussion about your injury history, training routine, goals and running background. We then assess strength, mobility, balance and movement control before analysing your running technique.

  At Podium Physiotherapy near Wimbledon, we look at factors such as cadence, stride pattern, loading mechanics and running efficiency. We’ll explain our findings clearly and provide practical advice, exercises and rehabilitation strategies to help you return to running confidently.

• Is gait analysis worth it for runners?

  For many runners, gait analysis can provide valuable insight into recurring injuries, inefficient movement patterns and areas that may benefit from targeted strength or rehab work.

  Whether you’re training for your first 10k, preparing for a marathon or returning from injury, our running gait analysis in Raynes Park and Wimbledon is designed to help you run more comfortably, efficiently and confidently.

• What’s the difference between gait analysis and a shoe shop assessment?

  A shoe shop assessment typically focuses on footwear recommendations based on a brief treadmill observation. While this can be useful, it is very different from a clinical running gait assessment.

  At our Wimbledon and Raynes Park running clinic, gait analysis is performed by a physiotherapist and includes a full assessment of your injury history, strength, mobility, biomechanics, training load and running goals. We look beyond footwear alone to understand the factors that may be contributing to pain, inefficiency or recurring injuries.

• Should I bring my running shoes?

  Yes — we recommend bringing the running shoes you currently train in most often. If you use multiple pairs, such as road and trail shoes, feel free to bring those too.

  Assessing your footwear alongside your running mechanics can provide useful insight into your training habits and running load.

  We love discussing running footwear with athletes!

• Is gait analysis useful after injury?

  Absolutely. Running gait analysis can be particularly helpful when returning to running after injury. It allows us to assess how your body is moving following rehabilitation and identify any remaining strength deficits, compensations or loading issues.

  At Podium Physiotherapy, we regularly help runners in Wimbledon and Raynes Park safely return to training after injuries such as Achilles tendinopathy, shin splints, runner’s knee and stress-related injuries.

• Where is your running clinic?

  Our running gait analysis clinic is based in Raynes Park, less than 5 minutes from Raynes Park Station. We regularly help runners from Wimbledon, Wimbledon Village, Kingston, New Malden and the surrounding areas improve their running performance and stay injury-free.