Run Analysis 101: What It Is and Why Every Runner Should Have One
Every Stride Tells a Story
Whether you’re training for your next marathon or just starting your running journey, your body has its own unique way of moving — and sometimes, those movement patterns can make the difference between running strong or running hurt.
That’s where a run analysis comes in. A professional running gait assessment helps uncover what your body is doing while you run — the good, the bad, and the things you don’t even realize are happening.
At Move with Meg, we use run analysis to help runners understand how they move, why injuries happen, and what changes can make every stride more efficient, powerful, and pain-free.
What Exactly Is a Run Analysis?
A run analysis is a detailed assessment of your running form, movement patterns, and mechanics. Using video from multiple angles and slow-motion technology, your physical therapist evaluates how your body moves from head to toe while you run.
During a run analysis, we typically look at:
- Stride length and cadence (how long and how often your steps are)
- Foot strike pattern (heel, midfoot, or forefoot)
- Pelvic and trunk control
- Hip, knee, and ankle alignment
- Arm swing and posture
This in-depth look helps identify inefficient movement patterns, compensations, or asymmetries that can lead to pain or limit performance.
Why Every Runner Should Have a Run Analysis
1. Injury Prevention
Most running injuries — like shin splints, IT band syndrome, or plantar fasciitis — stem from how your body moves over thousands of steps. A run analysis pinpoints the exact mechanics contributing to stress on specific joints or tissues, helping you fix the cause before it becomes an injury.
2. Better Performance and Efficiency
Small tweaks in your form can lead to big gains. By improving cadence, stride length, or alignment, runners often find they can maintain pace more easily, reduce fatigue, and feel smoother with every step.
Even if you’re not injured, a run analysis helps you run smarter — not harder.
3. Personalized Training Insights
A run analysis gives you a clear understanding of your unique movement patterns. This allows your PT to design a customized strength, mobility, and form program tailored to your needs.
It’s not about copying someone else’s form — it’s about finding the most efficient version of yours.
What to Expect During a Run Analysis
When you come in for a run analysis at Move with Meg, here’s what the process looks like:
- Movement Screen: Assessment of your strength, mobility, and stability to see how your body moves when you are doing things other than running.
- Video Gait Capture: You’ll run at your comfortable pace while we record your form from multiple angles. This can be outside or on a treadmill
- Slow-Motion Breakdown: A review of the footage to identify patterns, opportunities for improvement, or flaws contributing to an injury you may be having or had in the past
- Action Plan: You’ll leave with specific recommendations — from exercises and drills to shoe suggestions or cadence adjustments — designed to make your running feel stronger and smoother.
Who Can Benefit from a Run Analysis?
A run analysis isn’t just for elite runners. It’s valuable for:
- 🏃♀️ Runners returning from injury
- 🏃♂️ Beginners who want to start safely
- 💪 Runners aiming to improve form, speed or efficiency
- 👟 Anyone dealing with recurring aches or pain
If you run regularly, a gait analysis is one of the smartest investments you can make in your longevity and performance as an athlete.
The Takeaway
A professional run analysis bridges the gap between how you think you move and how you actually move. It gives you the tools, awareness, and confidence to train smarter, recover faster, and run stronger — mile after mile. Most runners can feel the difference right away and after just a few runs say their run feels easier and stronger.
At Move with Meg, we help runners of all levels understand their stride, build strength, and prevent injury through personalized assessments and training.
🏃♀️ Ready to See How You Run?
Schedule your Run Analysis today at www.movewithmegpt.com or email meg@movewithmegpt.com to learn how we can help you move better and feel your best on every run.
Because every stride tells a story — let’s make yours stronger.
Meg Pezzino, PT, DPT, SCS, is a board-certified sports specialist and running-focused physical therapist based in the DMV. Through her practice, Move With Meg Physical Therapy, she helps runners prevent injuries, improve strength, and move with confidence.
Move with Meg
