For runners battling acute or chronic running injuries or seeking to take their performance to new levels, having an efficient, injury-resistant running form is foundational. But how can athletes get an in-depth, data-driven evaluation of their running mechanics to identify the areas holding them back? That’s where East Coast Movement Performance Institute (East Coast MPI) comes in.
East Coast’s biomechanics facility, located in Ocean Township, New Jersey, utilizes the most advanced technology to provide comprehensive running form analyses. Our approach integrates multiple advanced assessments into one comprehensive evaluation.
The Analysis starts with East Coast MPI’s Simi 2D motion capture system. High-speed cameras record the runner’s mechanics from multiple angles as they run on the facility’s instrumented treadmill.
“We’re able to calculate precise joint angles, body positions, and the kinematic sequence for every phase of the running cycle,” explains Brian Mullins, East Coast MPI’s Director of Biomechanics. “This quantitative data allows us to identify even subtle technical flaws that could be limiting performance or increasing injury risk.”
Additionally, our HP Cosmos treadmill is equipped with a Zebris treadmill platform that tracks metrics like stance and swing timing, ground reaction forces, loading distribution asymmetries between legs, and more.
“Many running injuries and performance limitations stem from imbalances in strength, mobility and activation patterns between sides. The Zebris treadmill data highlights these deficits in a way you simply can’t detect by eye.”
In addition to the video and platform assessment, we perform a complete physical and neuromuscular evaluation. This allows them to assess ideal firing sequences in muscles like the glutes, quads and calves.
“Improper muscle activation patterns can significantly impair running economy and propagate poor mechanics that lead to injury down the road.” explains Brian.
With the comprehensive running analysis complete, East Coast MPI’s sports scientists and physical therapists provide a complete review of the results. We score our client’s biomechanical movements against an evidence-based model of optimal running form to pinpoint individualized risk factors.
Potential problem areas could include:
Excessive knee valgus (inward knee collapse)
Overpronation or supination
-Overstriding with a heavy heel-strike
-Poor shock absorption/knee flexion during loading
Compensated pelvic drop or lateral trunk lean
And many more
From this comprehensive data set spanning kinematics, kinetics, neuromuscular function and more, we build a fully customized retraining plan. Mr. Mullins MS, PT states, “The program focuses on correcting technical flaws, activating stabilizer muscles like the glutes and core, improving mobility and flexibility deficits, and integrating power production.”
Clients engage in a comprehensive routine of stability exercises, corrective strength work, activation drills, and hands-on running form cues from the facility’s expert running coaches and therapists.
The end goal is to not just optimize the client’s running mechanics, but to build a durable, resilient form to improve performance and minimize injury risk far into the future. We follow up our initial analysis with re-assessments during the training process. This allows us to objectively monitor each client’s progress over time and keeps their program on track.”
For runners of all levels – from passionate amateurs to elite competitors – East Coast MPI’s scientific running analysis equips them with the knowledge and tools to make continued gains while avoiding the excessive stresses that derail training.
We take a truly 360-degree view of running biomechanics. Mr. Mullins states. Understanding every component from activation, strength and flexibility…to applying that force efficiently into running form. It’s bringing the science of performance to the running community.