When fellow runner/blogger and Ragnar teammate Anne contacted me about the possibility of teaming up with George Mason University’s SMART Lab for a 3-D Gait Analysis, I jumped at the chance.
I immediately checked out their website to see what sorts of fitness testing was offered. From the SMART Lab website and staff I learned that they offer:
- 3-D Gait Analysis – Assesses gait mechanics during walking and/or running, and provides evidence based recommendations to improve identified deficiencies
- Bod Pod – Uses air displacement to access body volume, and then determines fat free mass, and fat mass (gold standard in measuring body composition)
- Skinfold Analysis – Measures body composition
- VO2Max Endurance Test (Oxygen consumption test) – Determines the ability to use Oxygen in exercise (both sub-maximum and maximum tests)
When I learned that the George Mason University (GMU) SMART Lab was one of only three locations in the United States (and one of only six in the world) that offers 3-D Gait Analysis to the general public, I knew that was what I wanted to try. When else might I have this amazing opportunity?
My specific reasons for choosing the 3-D gait analysis was threefold. Firstly, it seemed like something my readers would love to learn more about. Secondly, it was something I was very curious about since I have run a lot of miles for many years (my conservative estimate is that I’ve run 20,000 miles since turning 40). Thirdly, I wanted to see what gait deficiencies I might have, and what would be recommended to improve those deficiencies to help me meet my goal of running forever.
I arrived at the Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center in Manassas, VA, home of the SMART Lab, on a gorgeous afternoon, ready to do whatever was needed to get the most out of my 3-D Gait Analysis.
The SMART Lab staff greeted me warmly when I arrived, and got right to work introducing themselves to me, setting my my expectations for what to expect during my session, and making me feel comfortable. For a client who might be nervous about the testing, the staff’s calming personalities would put them right at ease.
Left to right: Dr. Nelson Cortes, Amanda Car, Eddo, Alicia Harris, and Dr. Shane Caswell
I was put in the capable hands of Eddo, a PhD candidate for Exercise, Fitness and Health Promotion at GMU. Eddo put me through a litany of functional tests to determine my muscular strength and flexibility, before putting me on the treadmill for my gait analysis.
Next he had me perform squats…
And then he had the nerve to ask me to perform one-legged squats!
Obviously, I was not very good at this particular assignment. Yes, I lost my balance causing my body to completely collapse, but look at that focus!
While Eddo put me through the remainder of my tests, Amanda (first semester PhD student studying Exercise, Fitness and Health Promotion) prepared sensors and markers that would be Velcroed to my back at waist level, and taped to the sides and backs of my legs and shoes.
And finally, Amanda had to put tape all over my Brooks Glycerine shoes to cover the reflective glow so the cameras wouldn’t pick up on it.
Once I was taped and Velcroed properly, I was ready to start my test. Of course, being the good runner that I am, I had to snap this leg and foot selfie, because that’s what runners do!
I started out walking on the treadmill for about five minutes. The three infra-red cameras behind me digitally captured my walking biomechanics via the sensors.
My movement was then shown on the screen in the most basic and non-distracting form, a skeleton walking.
After a five-minute warm-up, Amanda had me start running while keeping my speed between 5.0 and 6.5. My instructions were to find my most comfortable gait within that speed range, and maintain that pace for about five minutes.
When I picked up my pace from walking to running, my skeleton mini-me settled into my exact gait to entertain me during my run.
After I finished running, Eddo compared my functional test results to my gait analysis, and compiled a biomechanical report and assessment specific to me. My report pinpoints areas of weakness and inflexibility, and gives me suggestions on exercises that I can do to correct those problems, and hopefully, help protect me from injuries in the future.
My results were also put into a large database along with those collected from 18 other biomedical research labs around the world, allowing for comparisons of test subjects to others of the same gender, age, etc.
On Wednesday, I will share a little bit of my findings, and what recommendations were made to help me make the most out of my running, and help me meet my goal of running forever. Please be sure to stop back by to see what adjustments I’ll need to make in my workouts, because you know I’ll be talking about them in my weekly recaps.
I am very grateful to the GMU SMART Lab for offering to let me participate in the 3-D Gait Analysis, and would like to thank the staff for such an interesting and informative experience. I would highly recommend this analysis to anyone wanting to improve their running performance.
AND, saving the best for last… I am extremely happy to announce that the SMART Lab is giving two gait analyses to me to give to my readers! That’s right, two of my lucky readers will win an opportunity to visit the lab, perform the exercises, and receive a complete assessment!
Rules to enter the SMART Lab 3-D Gait Analysis giveaway:
- You are allowed to enter every day between now and Friday, October 24 at midnight. The more times and ways you enter, the greater your chances of winning.
- Please enter only if you live in the DC Metro area, or would be available to visit the GMU SMART Lab in Manassas, VA.
- Two winners will be selected by Rafflecopter at midnight on Friday, October 24, and announced by Sunday, October 26.
- Once the winners are announced, they will have until Tuesday, October 28 to verify that they will register for their analysis. If either winner fails to claim their prize, another winner will be chosen.
- Relatives of Deb Runs are not eligible to win.
To enter for a chance to win a GMU SMART Lab 3-D Gait Analysis,
please use the Rafflecopter app below.
GOOD LUCK!
Disclosure: I was given the opportunity to participate in the 3-D Gait Analysis at no cost to me ($200 value). All opinions expressed are my own.
- Questions:
- What would you hope to gain most from your SMART Lab 3-D Gait Analysis should you be one of the two lucky winners?
- What sort of fitness testing, if any, have you had done?
- Who raced over the weekend?
I’m really interested to see what your findings were. I’d like to learn where my weaknesses are and do some injury prevention. Great giveaway 🙂
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Pumpkin Kale Lasagna
This is so awesome Debbie!! Thanks for sharing!!!
I’m knock kneed so it’d be interesting/slightly embarrassing to watch my skeleton!
I’ve always wanted to do one of these – can’t wait to read about your findings and recommendations! I had no idea we had a lab so close to us.
Kim Westrich recently posted…Spectator Guide for the Marine Corps Marathon
So fascinating!! Thanks for sharing your videos and telling us about it 🙂 I’ve been dying to try it
Jen
I would hope to learn more about my gait to help elevate running pain.
I’d love to see where I’m inflexible and what exercises can help strengthen my running!
Lauren recently posted…Walk Not Run and Skechers Breast Cancer Awareness
I’m interested in seeing what your results provide as far as recommendations r/t strengthening, etc.
I’m dealing with an annoying ‘injury’ and I’d love to figure out what I’m doing to cause it! 🙂
This is a fantastic write up about what “really happens” at a gait analysis — I’m going to have to share it with all of my grown up running friends!
Anne recently posted…Blogging is Hard with Teenagers but Running is Easy with Friends
That’s really cool, and I’m impressed with what they’re doing on campus. I knew there was research being done, just didn’t realize what they were up to 🙂
Oh I’m so sad I live so far away! That’s amazing.
It sounds/looks so cool! I’m excited to read the rest on Wednesday.
Courtney @ Don’t Blink. Just Run. recently posted…Face The Music Friday #56
I can’t wait to hear about your experience. This is so cool!
Dora recently posted…14 D.C. Area Runners You Should Follow on Social Media
This is so interesting! I can’t wait to read your results! I’ve never had any fitness testing done, but since my hips have been bothering me late in my MCM training, this would be really helpful.
I think this is the coolest giveaway I’ve ever seen on a blog; I SO wish I lived closer!
That’s a great photo of your collapse in the one-legged squat. One of my sides does that every time; the other side is a little better!
$200 doesn’t seem that like high a fee to pay if you’re injured often and use phsyios, etc. a lot. It would make more sense to pay for the analysis and take their recommendations.
Can’t wait to hear about your findings!
Abby recently posted…Three goals
I have suffered from scoliosis since childhood, but don’t let the constant pain slow me down. I love to run even though it probably takes me longer to recover than others. I’d love to learn more about the mechanics of my body and possible exercises and adaptations to help alleviate some of the symptoms caused by my spinal condition!
Great information, Debbie! I have been trying to work on my gait since my hip injury/surgery. Looks like something I could definitely benefit from. 🙂
Wow what an amazing opportunity! I look forward to reading about your findings and their recommendations. I would love to find out what my weaknesses are.
Jennifer recently posted…NYC Marathon Training 10/13-10/19 – Week 18
I would love to know if my gait is contributing to all of my injuries that I’ve been dealing with!!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…MCM Training Week 16 Recap
That is really awesome! I love all the clips you shared to explain the experience 🙂 I am in Richmond, I can make it to Manassas 🙂 I would love to know I am using proper form and would like to know what correct feels like so when I am tired and feel my self getting sloppy, I can correct it the best way possible.
Karen recently posted…All Out
That’s really neat! I didn’t know they could do that type of analysis, and so cool that you’ve got GMU right there doing it. I think it would also be really interesting and informative to do a VO2 max test. Can’t wait to hear about what you learned from your results, and what you plan to do different in the future!
Meagan recently posted…Runners Tell All: Most Memorable Running Experience
Wow that sounds like a great experience!
My left hamstring and quad have been bothering me lately so I’d definitely see if they could help check out what’s going on!
Becky recently posted…What Happen at 23!
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