Purpose: To find and correct flaws in running or walking form, technique and biomechanics that cause injury and/or impair performance

Run Lab is a Real Performance Specialty Service offered by Real Rehab Physical Therapy that involves an extremely thorough and high tech evaluation system of running biomechanics while you run (great for walkers too). While running is a natural motion for humans, it is a complex and rapid series of motions that is difficult to assess with the naked eye, especially without a thorough running analysis. Run Lab is much more than just a Video Gait Analysis; it includes:

• Digital video motion analysis using dual high-speed cameras and powerful software to record video and replay in slow motion or frame by frame, make measurements onscreen, comparisons with multiple views and recordings, and produce succinct reports with still pictures. Seeing your running form in this manner will shed light on form flaws that cause injury and impair performance.
• Surface Electromyography (SEMG) that allows quantitative measurement of multiple muscles simultaneously on the same and/or opposite limbs. SEMG will show isolated weakness and uncoordinated firing of muscles as they are used in the running motion, graph the function of up to eight different muscles, and record the graph data in sync with the recorded video data. More importantly, when a muscle is found to be impaired in the running motion, SEMG data displayed on a big screen TV in front of the runner gives immediate feedback as the runner works on engaging the impaired muscle while running.
• Electronic goniometers measure joint angles while in the running motion to help identify Range Of Motion problems such as insufficient or excessive motion. This data is also recorded in sync with video and SEMG data, and can also be viewed in real time to help the runner learn to control unwanted motions with instant feedback while running.
• Accelerometers measure limb speed and impact, with data recorded in sync with video, SEMG, and goniometer data, and can also be used for real-time feedback to help runners alter their stride to achieve a more efficient and less injurious pattern.

Run Lab may also include use of data collection tools for initial training to correct technique or motion errors, non-running evaluation, prescription of exercises for strength, flexibility and stability, corrective running drills, and training consultation.

Run Lab involves an initial time allotment of three hours, which is ideally scheduled as one block, but can be broken down into multiple, shorter appointment times for scheduling convenience or compliance with health insurance restrictions. Additional appointments may be used for ongoing gait retraining. Ask about how your health insurance may cover the cost of these services.