Many runners focus on logging miles, building endurance, and hitting new pace goals — but overlook a key factor that can make or break their performance: running form. How your body moves with each stride plays a huge role in efficiency, injury risk, and long-term progression.
Poor form can lead to unnecessary strain on joints, muscle imbalances, and recurring overuse injuries. On the flip side, even subtle improvements in posture, foot strike, or cadence can translate into better energy economy and a smoother, faster run.
The truth is, running form isn’t just about style — it’s about biomechanics. When your movement patterns are off, your body compensates in ways that limit performance and increase the risk of setbacks. That’s why understanding your gait — how you move through each phase of a step — is essential for runners at every level.
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At Ripple PT, we believe better running starts with better movement. And that begins with a detailed look at how your body moves when it matters most.
Gait analysis is a clinical tool used to assess how your body moves during walking and running. At Ripple PT, this process involves video capture, real-time movement observation, and biomechanical assessment to break down every phase of your stride — from heel strike to toe-off.
This isn’t just about watching you run on a treadmill. It’s a structured analysis of how your joints, muscles, and nervous system interact in motion. Gait analysis can reveal compensations, asymmetries, and inefficiencies that often go unnoticed until they lead to pain or plateaus in performance.
Common insights include:
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Whether you're training for your first 5K or chasing a marathon PR, gait analysis can offer significant advantages that go far beyond injury prevention. For Boston’s running community — known for its grit, hills, and ever-changing weather — understanding your stride can be a game changer.
At Ripple PT in Boston, gait analysis isn’t just a diagnostic tool — it’s the starting point for a fully customized performance plan. We use the insights gained from your assessment to develop targeted strategies that improve your mechanics, support injury recovery, and help you reach your running goals more efficiently.
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The process begins with a full-body movement assessment and high-speed video analysis, allowing us to break down your running form frame by frame. From there, we identify key areas for improvement — whether that’s correcting stride length, improving pelvic control, or addressing asymmetries in foot strike or arm swing.
But we don’t stop at identifying problems. We build a plan that addresses the why behind them. This may include mobility work, strength training, form drills, or neuromuscular re-education — all tailored to your running style and performance objectives.
Whether you're looking to avoid your next injury, improve race times, or simply feel better on every run, Ripple PT brings together science, technology, and individualized care to help you get there — one stride at a time
If you’re ready to take the guesswork out of your training and run with more confidence, a gait assessment at Ripple PT is the perfect place to start. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, chasing a PR, or just want to feel stronger on your runs, we’re here to help you move with purpose.
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Our Boston-based team combines expert clinical insight with high-tech gait analysis to deliver personalized care that meets you where you are — and takes you where you want to go. No shortcuts. No generic advice. Just the insights, support, and coaching you need to train smarter and run farther.
Contact Ripple PT today to schedule your assessment and take the first step toward a more efficient, resilient stride.