Your running footwear is the single most important part of your athletic kit. Think of it like the tyres on your car—if they're not the correct size or specification, performance suffers, and damage can occur. Would you buy tyres without knowing the right size? Or drive on ones that are 10 years old and worn down? The same principle applies to your running shoes. When it comes to high-impact activities like running, power walking, or aerobics, wearing the correct footwear is critical. Repetitive foot strikes can place significant stress on muscles and joints, and wearing the wrong shoes can lead to common injuries such as shin splints, plantar fasciitis, and stress fractures. These issues often stem from poor biomechanics, particularly in the lower limbs. That’s where Gait Analysis becomes invaluable. Gait analysis evaluates how your foot and lower leg move while in motion, highlighting how your body’s muscular, skeletal, and neural systems interact. It plays a key role in understanding joint movement, energy transfer, and force distribution—factors that directly impact running efficiency and injury prevention. At The Derby Runner, we use slow-motion video gait analysis on a treadmill to assess each customer’s foot strike, pronation, and overall biomechanics. By reviewing the footage frame-by-frame, our trained staff can accurately determine your foot type and recommend the most suitable shoe based on support level, size, width, and activity. Understanding ankle pronation—the natural inward roll of the foot during movement—is also crucial. While pronation helps absorb shock and distribute weight, excessive or insufficient pronation can increase injury risk. Different foot types require varying levels of support to control pronation effectively, and that’s why personalized gait analysis is so important. With a wide range of shoes designed for different foot types, our team ensures every customer receives tailored advice. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned runner, gait analysis is the first step toward finding the right footwear—and protecting your long-term performance and health. |