There
are many types of individual athletes depending on the specific distance and
event whether it is sprinting, middle distance, or long distance running. A key
factor for any athlete which is critical in any specific distance or event is
the “GAIT” cycle. It should be noted that there is a separate and very unique "GAIT" cycle for walking, long distance/middle distance running and sprinting. The “GAIT” cycle may be defined as the biomechanics of the athlete’s
body motion and movement “in-flight” between each foot stride and landing.
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| Source: www.sportsinjuryperformance.wordpress.com |
Typically
for runners, the “GAIT” cycle is dependent upon the interrelationship between
strength, stability, agility and mobility. In turn, there is also a direct correlation
between strength, posture, stability, foot landing, agility, quickness, foot
stride and foot length. Each and every athlete has their own unique "GAIT" cycle depending on "anthropometric" factors and issues (height, leg length, body build, etc.). Some areas to consider and evaluate based on "GAIT" cycle analysis include, but not limited to, abnormal shoulder and arm motion; hip flexion & extension; hip moving in or out from normal position; abnormal pronation or supination of the ankles or feet; abnormal deviation of the knees; pelvic/torso and leg rotation; and abnormal shifts of the spine or pelvis.
Whether
the athlete is a beginner, intermediate, advanced, elite, masters or Olympic level, it
is important to perform a proper “GAIT” cycle analysis at the earliest stage of the
athlete’s development and training and as well as continually updating the analysis, as
required, on a periodic basis.
As each runner is unique due to their own inherent and innate structural, biochemical and bio-mechanical aspects, the “GAIT” cycle analysis can enable a better understanding and appreciation of key focus areas with respect to both development and training. Based on the results of the “GAIT” cycle analysis, it will be important to ascertain, evaluate, critique, and as required, modify the various specific aspects of the individual athlete’s health, fitness, training and competition program. Emphasis needs to be made on improved relaxation, flexibility, stress management, endurance and performance as well as enhanced bioenergetics and bio-kinetics.
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| Source: www.stridestrong.com |
As each runner is unique due to their own inherent and innate structural, biochemical and bio-mechanical aspects, the “GAIT” cycle analysis can enable a better understanding and appreciation of key focus areas with respect to both development and training. Based on the results of the “GAIT” cycle analysis, it will be important to ascertain, evaluate, critique, and as required, modify the various specific aspects of the individual athlete’s health, fitness, training and competition program. Emphasis needs to be made on improved relaxation, flexibility, stress management, endurance and performance as well as enhanced bioenergetics and bio-kinetics.
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| Source: www.barefootrunninguniversity.com |
Accordingly, based on the above, advanced biokinesiology through biomechanics analysis can enable both qualitative and quantitative measurement of performance by studying and evaluating the various external and internal forces and their resultant effects on the athlete. The analysis can include, but not limited to, temporal, kinematic, kinetic and electromyographic methods and techniques.
Finally, depending on the individual athlete and specific distance or event, there should be additional attention paid to issues related to various forms of overuse injuries and fatigue (metabolic, neuromuscular, and central nervous system (CNS)). Biomechanics analysis can support athlete's injury prevention as well as subsequent rehabilitation and related restorative diagnosis, processes, methods, techniques and therapies.
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