How’s your gait? Improving your run, improving your fitness

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kali L. Gradishar
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Many people have seen the jogger who heaves through neighborhood streets or who lugs down the sidewalk - arms flailing, feet kicking back in awkward directions, torso bowed forward at an intense angle. The running style is clumsy and graceless, but help is available for the runner at Incirlik who is striving to improve his or her stride.

Together, the 39th Medical Operations Squadron Physical Therapy section and Health and Wellness Center run the gait analysis program to aid runners with inefficiencies and dysfunctions in their style.

"Gait analysis fits primarily with patients who have a lot of foot problems, knee problems (or other issues that warrant) referrals from their doctor," said Capt. Rich Villanueva, chief of physical therapy who generally sees 10-14 patients per day. "That doesn't take away from the exercise physiologist's capabilities of doing that also; so either or, gait analysis can be done by either an exercise physiologist that's trained in gait analysis or by a physical therapist. ... The program right now is considered a HAWC program, but physical therapists can be a supplement or an addition to that program.

"Throughout our training and education ... you go through several classes to analyze gait to look at discrepancies to see what a normal gait is and what an abnormal gait is," he said.

The gait analysis program becomes available to people in one of two ways: through a referral from one's primary care manager or by setting up an appointment through the HAWC. Runners and walkers alike who have access to the medical clinic or HAWC have the opportunity to utilize the program.

"It's dependent upon the access, but typically you would focus more on your patient population, like your active duty population, because they have to be within standards, they have to PT test, they have to do all the things to maintain standards so they can remain wearing this uniform," the physical therapist said.

A gait analysis session begins with an appropriately-dressed patient arriving at the appointment with shoes in hand.

"They're advised to bring their running shoes. If they have a second pair they run in, they would bring those in also. They would be in proper attire because the way we set up the cameras there are certain body parts that need to be exposed. We tell them to be expected to run in the shoes and run barefoot," said Villanueva. "Prior to the gait assessment, they would be analyzed regarding foot structure and foot type, and we look at the category of shoes they're currently using."

After the preliminary steps are taken, the patient warms up on the treadmill. Once ready, patients begin their walk or run as the two-camera system captures views of their gait from the side and back. After approximately 30 seconds, the patient stops and repeats the process with bare feet or the second pair of running shoes, Villanueva further explained.

Once the video is captured, the footage is reviewed and analyzed and suggestions are made to improve the patient's running or walking stride.

After the session, Villanueva ensures "they have the proper running shoe. If they have any discrepancies within their running style, pointers or suggestions will be given," he said. "We try not to drastically change a person's running style. ... We try to compliment or give little suggestions here and there to improve, not drastically change.

"We educate them on the new fads and styles as far as running and footwear. ... There are so many different theories out there, but I try to stay objective regarding any type of technique or running style and shoe," Villanueva said. "Hopefully they come out of the session with some good information on their shoe, their running style, any exercises that will help their running regarding strengthening or stretching," and any corrections for dysfunctions and asymmetries.

The most common gait issues seen by the physical therapist include dropping hips caused by weak hip stabilizers, too much forward lean in the upper body, decreased arm swing, stride overextension and heel strike.

For any runner, the physical therapist advises wearing the proper shoe, but not for more than 400-500 miles; trying on shoes at the end of the day because feet swell; and stretching, strengthening and doing core work.

"If you have tight muscles, that's going to affect your running style; and if you have weak muscles that's going to affect your running style," he said. "You have to incorporate core work into anything you do because everything comes from the core. Research has shown that if you have a strong core, then you will be more of an efficient runner.

"So core, stretching, strengthening and proper shoes - those would be the items I would tell patients if they want to improve their running," he said.

For more information on the gait analysis program, call your primary care manager or the HAWC at DSN 676-4292.