Running Gait Project

Advanced Sports Medicine

Griffin Hartshorn, Lilli DeLeon, Christine Jimenez, Julian

Read, Jalen Parks

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 Abstract
In our project, we analyzed Julian’s running gait. Here, we simplified his running into six

phases: initial contact, midstance, take off, initial swing, mid swing, and terminal swing. When

analyzing each phase, we will measure his body lean, center of gravity, body angle in drive

phase, alignment of ASIS, pelvic tilt angle, hip extension, knee flexion, tibial rotation, valgus

angle, ankle dorsiflexion, and position of the foot. With the measurements we found, we will

make a comparison to the average measurements to see if there are any discrepancies. If there are

discrepancies, we will explain the possible injuries and complications Julian will face when

running. We will explain certain exercises and techniques which will prevent injuries and

improve Julian’s Running performance in the future.

Introduction
The gait cycle explains how people walk and run. Analysts will use the gait cycle to

analyze measurements and movements throughout each phase of stride and step. Having

knowledge on the gait cycle helps an athlete see if they move with proper form. The gait cycle is

a constant cycle of six phases: heel strike, foot flat, mid-stance, heel-off, toe-off, and mid-swing.

A step and a stride are two very different things, and this knowledge is imperative when

analyzing an athlete’s gait. A step is the distance between initial contacts of alternating feet. A

stride is the distance between consecutive initial contacts of the same foot with the ground.

However, a full stride is the complete end of two steps goes through all six phases. The two main

phases include the stance phase, which is more than half the cycle as well as the swing phase,

which is a little less than half. The running gait in a detailed manner includes initial contact,

loading response, midstance, terminal stance, pre swing, initial swing, mid swing, and late swing.

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When running or walking, analyzing an athlete's gait is critical to observe in order to prevent

potential injury.

Running gait, for the most part, is the same as walking gait. Walking gait is primarily an

alternation of pronation and supination. They differ in that running has increased velocity, greater

distance per unit time, and the addition of the float phase where both feet are off the ground at

the same time. This results in a decrease in stance phase and an increase in swing phase. Unlike

walking forward momentum in running is created by the swing of the arms and legs rather than

the stance foot. Also in the running gait, initial contact occurs at the mid-foot, rather than the

heel. There is a greater ground reaction force created with running making it easier to increase

velocity as strides increase.

An understanding of Ground Reaction Force (GRF) is imperative when considering

running injuries. Ground Reaction Force is a vector which, during running or walking, passes

upward from the foot and provides movement at the lower extremities. The Ground Reaction

Force is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the force which the body applies to the

surface of the foot. In analyzing the gait cycle, the orientation of GRF is shifted toward the plane

in which you are viewing it, whether it be sagittal or frontal.

Many people write off running injuries as over-use injuries, however, this is not the case

for all. A lot of running injuries can be from over-use, but they can also stem from poor running

form, or gait. The worst thing a runner can do to increase the risk of injury is lead with their heel

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and having that hit the floor before anything else. This will not only injure your knee by breaking

down the cartilage, but will also slow you down immensely. Another injury related to heel

striking is IT Band Syndrome. The amount of force that is shot back to your body can be so

intense that it hurts more than joints. An injury that is common, mainly with mid-distance

runners, is shin splints. Ways to prevent shin splints include strengthening exercises, shoe

supports and stretching. Runners often must do rehabilitation work for extended periods of time

for these injuries, as much of the time, motion and ability is restricted.

The purpose of this project is to learn and analyze the biomechanics of running gait in an

athlete. We will explain running gait and its importance for an athlete’s performance and health.

We will be using the Hudl technique application to record, measure, and analyze the athlete’s gait

cycle. When analyzing, we will be measuring the different angles in each phase of the step and

stride, paying close attention to: the athlete’s body lean, center of gravity, body angle during the

Drive Phase, alignment of the ASIS, pelvic tilt angles, hip extension, knee flexion, tibial rotation,

valgus angle, ankle dorsiflexion, and foot position during all phases. If there are discrepancies in

the athletes form, we will be able to analyze it to see the different risks of injuries in the athlete.

Not only will we define the potential injuries, but also explain the treatment and prevention of

them.

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 Analysis 1

We recorded Julian’s running gait as he ran for 20 yards on the football field. He ran

along the sideline and the goal line so he could run a straight path, allowing us to analyze his gait

more easily and accurately.

Julian’s measurements of mechanics were within the normal range of a sprinter’s running

gait, generally. However, a slight adjustment must be made during his mid-swing stage. During

the mid-swing, his greatest issue is a crossover of the foot, passing over the midline of the body.

We believe that this added movement unnecessarily uses up energy to realign the body during the

terminal swing. This energy could instead be used for added speed. During the mid-stance stage,

Julian’s body lean is a 6º angle from the greater trochanter to the ear, when the ideal is 0º.

Ideally, he should be centered in a straight line, directly following the line from the heel. This

ideal positioning would allow for greater momentum and increasing his velocity. Julian’s body

lean angle is 6°, and the normal is 3.5°, so he will primarily rely on his back and glute muscles.

This can cause muscle strain and tension. In order to improve and avoid muscle overuse injuries,

he can position his body in a more vertical stance, and place the foot closer to the body, therefore

enhancing the recoil of the tendons. Julian’s pelvic tilt angles were all within normal range of

6°-13°. His tilt angles on the right and left sides, both with shoes and no shoes, all included the

average measurements in which he sustains correct positioning while standing. Julian’s valgus

angle was nearly perfectly ideal. His valgus angles were 180° and 179° (left and right), each is

nearly identical enough to the desired 180°. This means that he is less at risk for an MCL or ACL

strain, also indicating that he has stability throughout the body during his gait cycle.

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 Some adjustments should be made to Julian’s running gait as well, as he deviated greatly

from a few of normal measurements. With shoes, Julian’s angle of dorsiflexion is 1° and 2° (left

and right), while the ideal is 10°. Dorsiflexion of the ankle was measured during the midstance

phase, and due to the fact that Julian is a forefoot-runner and not a heel-striker, his dorsiflexion is

excessively minimal. During the Drive phase, the normal angle of body lean is about 45°, but

Julian’s was about 21°. The closer one is to a perfect 45° body lean, the more power that can be

sustained throughout each stride. His knee had an angle of flexion at 56 (left) and 72 (right),

which is higher than the average angle. Sustaining a high knee flexion angle could cause high

stresses to the muscles, as well as high constraints, specifically to the posterior capsule and

menisci. Julian can improve this discrepancy by strengthening the soft tissues on the posterior

side of his knee, such as the gastrocnemius, popliteus, posterior and medial cruciate ligaments.

Analysis 2

A. Julian’s average velocity was calculated with this formula:

Distance = Rate x Time

8 yds. = Rate x 1 second

Rate = 7.32 meters/second

B. The Ground Reaction Force was calculated with this formula:

GRF = Force(average) / body weight
GRF = 2.5 N / 76.2 kg

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GRF = 0.0328 N/kg

C. Julian’s Tibial torque was calculated with this formula:

Torque = GRF / Stride Distance
Torque = 0.0328 N/kg / 2.134 m
Torque = 0.0154 N/kg•m

Conclusion

Julian had various average angles in his running gait but also maintained a few ranges of

motion that could cause chronic injuries. As Julian is a track athlete and practices constantly, his

muscles that are not strengthened enough will cause him to have incorrect form in his running

gait.

For the most part, Julian’s form in the running gait is quite good. One area that there was

a big difference in Julian and the normal measurement was his knee flexion. A reasonable and

sensible, yet inexcusable, explanation for this is that since he injured his hamstring and been out

of commission for so long, his body has simply forgotten some subtle but key components to his

running form. Another part that his form is lacking in is his dorsiflexion in his ankle. We believe

that this is stemming from the previous reason as well and that his body has gotten slightly lazy

during his recovery. Lastly, Julian’s right leg would cross over the left in his mid-stance, which is

caused by weak glutes. Over time he will be susceptible to a glute strain do to over use of the

glute if it is not strengthened. The lower back and glutes could also be affected by his excessive

body lean due to a weakened core.

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 For Julian, there are certain exercises that can help improve his running performance and

reduce the risk of acute and chronic injuries. One major issue Julian has while running is

crossing his foot while in the mid-stance phase. This could be a sign weak glutes so in improving

his performance, he should do glute exercises. Some exercises include theraband bridges,

resistance band monster walks, and doing side planks with a resistance band above the patella

and abducting the legs. Julian also has an excessive anterior body lean while running. This will

cause Julian to overuse his lower back and glute muscles. This can also be a sign of a weak core.

When runners get tired, they tend to lean forward. Julian will have to do core strengthening

exercises such as planks and sit ups. Also someone can verbally correct Julian while running

which can help him have the muscle memory to prevent forward lean.

The most prominent aspect of Julian’s running gait can be measured and analyzed before

he even begins to run. We took notice to his pelvic tilt angle, using a vertical line to determine

any falling, slipping, or tilting of the pelvis. His pelvic tilt angle was within the 6° to 13° ideal.

This means that biomechanically, his running gait is not immediately predisposed to

disproportion and malfunction. Julian’s Valgus angle was also nearly identical to the ideal of

180°, which points to the conclusion that his running form allows little room for exposure to

MCL, ACL, or LCL injuries. Though Julian’s body lean is much less than the desired 45° during

the Drive Phase, he continues to move with a vertical drive upward and forward, achieving

speed, yet causing great amounts of torque and misalignment in his lower body.

As an athlete, Julian had average athlete measurements in his running gait. Although he is

susceptible to injuries, most of which do not concern the knee, he is able to target specific

muscles and strengthen them to improve his form.

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 Video Link

http://www.hudl.com/technique/video/view/OvAeTNHm

Side View of Julian Running with shoes

http://www.hudl.com/technique/video/view/2b31dd45

Side View of Julian Running without shoes

http://www.hudl.com/technique/video/view/yrDWeKmC

Anterior and Posterior View of Julian Running with shoes

http://www.hudl.com/technique/video/view/CA55P8bG

Anterior and Posterior View of Julian Running without shoes

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 Works Cited

Bernardini, Brad J. "The Gait Cycle and Running Injuries." Reconstructive Orthopedics,

www.reconstructiveortho.com/sites/reconstructiveortho.com/files/

GaitCycleRunningInjuries.pdf. Accessed 6 Mar. 2018.

Dugan, Sheila A., and Krishna P. Bhat. "Biomechanics and Analysis of Running Gait." Physical

Medicine and Regabilitation Clinics of America, aprender.ead.unb.br/pluginfile.php/

146649/mod_resource/content/2/Analysis%20of%20running.pdf. Accessed 6 Mar. 2018.

Gallo, Robert A., et al. "Common Leg Injuries of Long-Distance Runners." Sports Heath, Nov.

2012, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4714754/. Accessed 6 Mar. 2018.

Physiopedia contributers. "Gait." Physiopedia, 7 June 2017, www.physio-pedia.com/index.php?

title=Gait&oldid=172822. Accessed 6 Mar. 2018.

Starkey, Chad, and Sara D. Brown. "Evaluation of Gait." Examination of Orthopedic & Athletic

Injuries, Fourth ed., Jesse Sullivan. Slideplayer, Jesse Sullivan, slideplayer.com/slide/

10278976/. Accessed 6 Mar. 2018.

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