Running & Gait Retraining in Colorado Springs

Run pain-free, improve efficiency, and reduce your risk of injury with expert movement analysis and technique coaching.

What is Running & Gait Retraining?

At Summit Physio & Performance, we take running seriously. Our gait retraining sessions go beyond simple movement observations to deliver a personalized, biomechanically sound plan to help you move better and feel better.

Whether you're a competitive runner, recreational jogger, or just getting back into movement, our goal is to assess and improve how your body loads, absorbs shock, and transfers energy during running. This leads to reduced injury risk, better performance, and a more enjoyable running experience.

This isn’t just for elite athletes. Gait retraining is one of the most effective ways to reduce recurring injuries, especially for:

  • Runners with knee, hip, back, or ankle/foot pain

  • Anyone returning to running post-injury or postpartum

  • Athletes looking to improve stride efficiency and endurance

Why Gait Mechanics Matter

Most running injuries are not caused by the run itself, but by inefficient movement patterns that overload joints and tissues over time. Running is essentially repetitive single leg, sagittal plane movements and we must factor in volume that one will accumulate with their running form. Our clinicians are trained in movement science and gait biomechanics to:

  • Identify and correct dysfunctional stride patterns

  • Address strength or mobility deficits that affect form

  • Improve cadence, footstrike, and energy transfer

  • Reduce impact forces and asymmetries that lead to injury

  • Implement running retraining for offloading or correcting mechanics when necessary

By analyzing your running frame-by-frame, in both front and side views, we can pinpoint the breakdowns in your stride and help you rebuild smarter patterns. We may also assess your cadence which is the number of steps you take/minute to determine efficiency in step rate. 

What to Expect in a Running & Gait Session

1. Movement + Strength Assessment

We begin by assessing your flexibility, joint mobility, strength, and movement control. This helps identify limitations that affect your running mechanics.

2. Video Gait Analysis

We capture your run from multiple angles and slow it down to break down your movement frame-by-frame.

3. Cadence Assessment

We will count the number of steps you take on one leg in a 30 sec window in order to determine your cadence, the number of steps you take per minute. It measures how quickly runners' feet strike the ground. Higher cadence can improve running efficiency by reducing the time spent in the air between steps and optimizing cadence and enhance the impact on joints and play a role in injury risk. 

4. Technique Coaching

We use verbal, visual, and tactile cues to guide changes in your running mechanics. You’ll receive individualized coaching focused on optimizing your unique stride.

5. Programming for Progress

You'll leave with a plan, often including mobility work, drills, strength progressions, and cues in order to reinforce changes and track your progress over time.

Who Benefits from Running & Gait Retraining?

  • Improve efficiency, prevent overuse injuries, and improve pacing.

  • Enhance explosive stride mechanics and force output.

  • Improve endurance and recovery between events.

  • Return safely after stress fractures, tendon issues, or surgery.

  • Build great form from the beginning to avoid problems down the road.

  • Improve run mechanics for hybrid-style competitions.

Common Running Myths (Debunked)

❌ Myth #1: Faulty Biomechanics or Anatomical Variations Lead to Running Injuries

Hip drop/ankle pronation/knee valgus/LLD cause injuries

False! ❌! Leg length differences under 2 cm usually don't impact pain or performance, and there's very weak evidence that pronation or knee valgus increases injury risk. Bottom line: If a runner is performing well and injury-free, "imperfect" mechanics don't need fixing. Focus on load vs. capacity, not chasing perfect alignment.
❌ Myth #2: Midfoot or Forefoot Strike is the Best Landing Position

Heel striking causes injuries

False! Foot strike isn't one-size-fits-all! Overstriding matters more than how your foot hits the ground. Heel strike isn't "bad," but new runners may benefit from mid/forefoot striking. If you've been running pain-free, stick with what works—switch only if you're chasing performance gains.
❌ Myth #3: Proper Warm Up/Cool Down Helps Prevent Injuries

Stretching right before a workout is injury prevention

False! Stretching right before a workout doesn't prevent injuries, but doing mobility work consistently throughout the week does. The best pre-exercise prep is a progressive warm-up that gets you sweating and gradually ramps up intensity. This boosts performance and activates your nervous system more effectively than static stretching.
❌ Myth #4: Strength Training Prevents Running Injuries

Getting stronger directly prevents injuries

False! Strength training hasn't been proven to prevent injuries, but it does boost performance—and getting stronger helps you get faster. Bottom line: Every runner can benefit from adding strength training.
❌ Myth #5: People Need a Certain Shoe Type to Match Their Arch Height

Support/motion control shoes match arch height to prevent injuries

False! "Anti-pronation" tech doesn't actually stop pronation. Stability shoes don't prevent injuries—and orthotics may even raise injury risk for some runners. Bottom line: If you're injury-free in your current supportive shoes, stick with them. Want better performance? Try transitioning to a lighter, more minimal shoe.