Advanced Gait Analysis for Dynamic Foot Assessment

Walking or running gait can be evaluated through two modern biomechanical techniques - kinematic (movement) and kinetic (force). The intricate nature of gait cycling requires advanced measuring systems such as force plates for ground reaction forces, goniometers for joint angles, and IMUs capturing limb segment acceleration to obtain accurate results. As an instance, identifying pronation in the gait cycle of a patient with chronic back pain might result in excessive lumbar rotation. This motion assessment would suggest the use of motion-control shoes or tailored orthoses designed to immobilize the foot and diminish the compensatory movements of the spine. In sports science, these assessments are needed so athletes can perform at their best, as stride mechanics are engineered to limit energy use and maximize thrust, with biomechanical adjustments improving running speed by 2-3% in some cases.