Whether you’re already an avid runner or just starting on your running journey, our running assessments help you prevent pain and recover from injury by optimising your running technique. This means fewer interruptions to your running (whether it’s part of event training or for your overall health and well-being), so you can keep working towards your fitness goals and meeting your milestones.

As of 2023, we’re proud to host an after work social run club every week at Windsor. This is a free community event hosted by one of our highly skilled podiatrists with an extensive background in elite-level running. No matter what your ability - you'll be in great hands! Register for our run club here.

What is a running assessment? 

A running assessment is an analysis of your running technique throughout all the different phases of running, as assessed using video gait analysis, foot pressure assessment, and the vast expertise of our experienced podiatry team - some of whom are elite runners themselves. From the results of your running assessment, we can provide a detailed assessment that is used to highlight any biomechanical defects and inefficiencies in your technique that may be increasing your risk of injury, or be the cause of any current pain. 

The Process:

1. To start, you and your podiatrist will discuss your current running goals, habits, and any difficulties you’ve been experiencing with your running. We will also discuss your current training program if you have one, the surfaces you run on throughout the week as well as the shoes you wear. You don’t need to be facing challenges in your running to benefit from this assessment - many people feel like they’re making good progress, but understand that there’s likely more they can be doing, and adaptations they can be making, to improve their running efficiency and further their progress.

2. A running-specific strength assessment is performed to highlight any potential weaknesses and restrictions, as well as screen for any problem areas mentioned in the initial discussion.

3. The main aspect of this session is the running analysis, which is done on the treadmill in the clinic. Video analysis will be taken from different angles at a variety of running paces which will depend on the type of sessions you undertake throughout the week.

4. Your podiatrist will then go through the findings with you and explain what was found in the analysis.

5. If required, another video is captured to highlight potential improvements. 

Benefits

There are many potential benefits from completing a running assessment, and the benefits you gain will depend on your key goals, which may include running without pain, reaching fitness testing goals, beginning a running program safely, increasing your weekly mileage or hitting a personal best. Some of the benefits you may experience may include:

• Injury prevention: by evaluating your running technique, foot mechanics, and lower limb alignment to identify any biomechanical issues or imbalances, we can help you make changes that can reduce your risk of injury, with common running injuries including stress fractures, Achilles tendonitis, or plantar fasciitis.
  

• Optimal footwear selection: choosing the right running shoes is crucial for injury prevention and performance. We can assess your foot type and foot posture to recommend the most appropriate running shoes, while offering guidance on factors such as cushioning, stability, and support to ensure your shoes adequately accommodate your foot mechanics and running style.
  

• Performance enhancement: running assessments are well known for helping improve running efficiency and performance. By analysing running technique and form, we’re able to identify areas for improvement and provide recommendations for optimising your stride, cadence, and posture. Making the relevant adjustments based on your findings can lead to more efficient movement, increased speed, and improved endurance.
  

• Rehabilitation and management of foot and lower limb conditions: if you have existing foot or lower limb problems or injuries that are impacting your running, we can discuss specific treatment strategies to manage and rehabilitate those conditions. This may include stretching and strengthening exercises, custom foot orthotics, foot mobilisation, shockwave treatment, MLS laser for pain relief, footwear modifications, and other specialised interventions tailored to your needs. This comprehensive approach helps address underlying issues and allows you to continue running safely and effectively.
  

• Personalised advice and guidance: all of your assessments will offer tailored advice and guidance based on your unique needs, goals, and running history. Your podiatrist is here to answer your questions, address concerns, and offer strategies for maintaining foot health, managing common running issues, and progressing safely in your training. This individualised approach ensures that you receive targeted support and education to optimise your running experience.
  

Do I have to be a professional runner to get a running assessment?

Absolutely not, our running assessments are for anyone who is wanting to run safely, addressing running concerns or pains, optimise their running technique, and generally just get the most out of their running. Our running assessment is individually tailored depending on the skill level of the runner.

Common Running Injuries

We see a range of running-related injuries across our podiatry clinics, with common injuries including:

• Shin splints: medically known as medial tibial stress syndrome, shin splints cause pain along the front and inside of the shin bone (tibia) due to inflammation of the muscles, tendons, and bone tissue. Shin splints are often caused by overuse, improper footwear or training techniques, running on hard surfaces, faulty foot biomechanics and more.

• Plantar fasciitis: this condition involves the inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that fans out from the heel bone and helps support the arch of the foot. Runners with plantar fasciitis experience heel pain, particularly during the first steps in the morning or after periods of rest. Plantar fasciitis is often caused by repetitive stress on the feet and arches (often related to pronation - the feet and arches rolling in), improper footwear, and biomechanical abnormalities of the feet.
  

• Achilles tendonitis: the Achilles tendon, located at the back of the ankle and lower leg, can become inflamed and painful, leading to Achilles tendonitis. It typically occurs due to overuse, inadequate warm-up routines, sudden increases in training intensity, tight calf muscles, and more.
  

• Iliotibial (IT) band syndrome: IT band syndrome causes pain on the outer side of the knee, resulting from irritation or inflammation of the IT band which runs down the outside of the thigh and crosses the knee joint, attaching just below at the top of the tibia (shin bone). IT band syndrome is often associated with repetitive bending and straightening of the knee during running and other activities like squats, especially on uneven surfaces or with improper footwear.
  

• Patellofemoral pain syndrome: also known as runner's knee, this condition involves pain around or behind the kneecap (patella). It can be caused by improper alignment of the patella, muscle imbalances, faulty foot biomechanics like excessive pronation (rolling in), or poor running mechanics.
  

• Stress fractures: stress fractures are tiny micro-cracks or breaks in the bones, commonly occurring in the weight-bearing bones of the foot and lower leg. Runners may experience localised pain, swelling, and tenderness. Stress fractures are often caused by repetitive impact and overuse, inadequate rest, training errors and more. We typically see running-related stress fractures in the metatarsals (long bones) of the feet.
  

• Ankle sprains: ankle sprains occur when the ligaments supporting the ankle joint are strained or torn, typically from a sudden twist or rolling of the foot. Runners may experience pain, swelling, and instability in the ankle.
  

• Blisters and calluses: although not necessarily considered ‘injuries’, blisters and calluses are common problems and sources of pain and discomfort among runners. Friction from ill-fitting shoes or excessive rubbing can lead to painful blisters, while repetitive pressure and friction can cause calluses to develop.
  

• Hamstring injuries: hamstring strains feel like pain in the upper part of the back of your thigh that may be accompanied by weakness or stiffness. Your hamstrings play an important role in your running stride, but if they are weak, tight or tired, they’ll be more prone to injuries. Many distance runners end up with hamstring strains that appear slowly over time, caused by small, repetitive tears in the muscle tissue.
  

Join Our Run Club

Running is great - and doing it collectively with a group of like-minded locals, while being led by a knowledgeable podiatrist and an elite runner all for free is even better! That’s why in 2023, we’ve formed a weekly run club to help our community optimise their running and stay injury-free, while getting a great workout together.

When: Every Wednesday at 5:30 pm

Location: Downey Park, 70 Noble St, Windsor QLD 4030

Coach: Stephanie Bain, podiatrist and elite runner

All fitness and running levels are welcome. This is a time-based walk/run, allowing everyone to start and finish at the same time. 

Benefits of joining our social run club include: 

• Meeting like-minded people who will help you stay accountable to turn up and work to achieve your goals. 
  
• A fun, inclusive environment that caters for all levels of running whether you are training for a personal best in your next race or you will be starting a run/walk program for the first time.
  
• Injury prevention: we conduct an easy-to-follow, short dynamic warm-up that involves moving the joints and muscles involved in running to help you prepare the body for exercise.
  
• Personalised session based on ability or injury status if required. 
  
• Footwear advice
  

Visit one of our Brisbane Podiatry clinics

If you would like to talk to one of our team, visit us at one of two Brisbane based locations, CBD & Newmarket.

Discover our other services & treatments