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Test protocol · Running mechanics · Entry

Treadmill Jogging Gaitsteady jog · 2.0–3.0 m/s · side + rear views

1Record2Upload3See the results
Why it matters: a structured video review of running mechanics helps explain running-related pain and guides changes such as step rate (Heiderscheit et al., 2011). A qualitative running analysis is reliable when it follows set criteria (Pipkin et al., 2016).VueMotion adds objective step metrics and angles to the visual review.

After familiarisation, the athlete jogs steadily on a treadmill at a documented speed (2.0–3.0 m/s) and incline for about 30 seconds while side and rear cameras record several gait cycles.

2–3
synced iPhones
2.0–3.0
m/s jog
30 s
steady running
PhaseSet
Why it matters

Running mechanics, measured.

Every recording gives you three layers.

STP
Step metrics

Step length, cadence, ground contact time and flight time.

SAG
Side view

Foot strike, tibial inclination, knee flexion at contact and midstance, hip extension, trunk lean, foot-to-centre-of-mass position, vertical excursion.

REA
Rear view

Pelvic drop, knee position, rearfoot/forefoot position, trunk side bend and arm swing.

01

Performance monitoring

Are mechanics changing over time?

  • Step metrics Cadence and contact time vs baseline.
  • Angles Key angles across sessions.
  • Symmetry Left vs right.
02

Performance improvement

What should the runner change?

  • Step rate Small step-rate increases reduce joint loading (Heiderscheit et al., 2011).
  • Overstride Foot far ahead of the body at contact.
  • Trunk Lean and side bend.
03

Injury risk management

Which patterns load the runner?

  • Overstride Large foot-to-centre-of-mass distance.
  • Pelvic drop Seen from the rear.
  • Vertical bounce Excess vertical movement.
04

Return to play / rehab

Is the runner moving well again?

  • Return to running Check mechanics as running resumes.
  • Baseline Compare with pre-injury.
  • Cues Re-test after gait retraining.
05

Benchmarking

How does the runner compare?

  • Categories Variable-by-variable categories (Pipkin et al., 2016).
  • Speed-matched Compare at the same speed.
  • Group Running groups.
06

Scouting / screening

Who needs gait work?

  • Quick 30 s per runner.
  • Objective Step metrics from video.
  • Two views Side and rear.

These metrics describe movement patterns linked to performance and injury risk in research. They support coaching and clinical judgement; they do not diagnose or predict an individual injury.

01 · Setup

Treadmill and cameras

Set the treadmill speed (2.0–3.0 m/s) and incline and record both. Side camera for the whole body, rear camera for the whole body, and an optional rear close-up of the feet.

PhaseSet
Side cameraRear cameraRear feet close-up (optional)
C1

Side camera

Perpendicular to the treadmill, whole body in frame, lens about hip height.

C2

Rear camera

Behind the treadmill, whole body in frame. Record both phones in sync with Controller-Capture.

C3

Rear feet close-up (optional)

Low and behind, framing the feet and lower legs to improve rearfoot assessment.

Capture at 120 fps (60 fps minimum), Auto-FPS off. Front views are hard on a treadmill because of the console, so side and rear are recommended.

02 · Capture

Record in a few minutes

1

Equipment

2–3 iPhones and tripods; a treadmill.

2

Familiarise

A few minutes of easy running on the treadmill.

3

Cameras

Side and rear cameras (plus optional feet close-up), synced with Controller-Capture.

4

Tag + record

Note the speed and incline, then record about 30 s of steady jogging.

5

Upload

Upload the original files and submit the AI request.

Runner

  • Usual running shoes
  • Familiarise first
  • Steady jog at the set speed and incline
  • Look ahead, run naturally

Camera settings

  • 120 fps preferred (60 fps minimum)
  • Auto-FPS off
  • Fixed tripods, no zoom or panning
  • Do Not Disturb on, Auto-Lock never

Scene & upload tips

  • Record the speed and incline as tags
  • Good light, no glare from windows
  • Tight-fitting clothing helps tracking
  • Upload original files from the app
03 · Outputs

What you get after upload

Step metrics

Step length, cadence, ground contact time and flight time.

Side view

Foot strike, tibial inclination, knee flexion at contact and midstance, hip extension, trunk lean, foot-to-COM position, vertical COM excursion.

Rear view

Pelvic drop, knee position, rearfoot/forefoot position, trunk side bend, arm swing and symmetry.

Categories

Variable-by-variable qualitative categories; no aggregate score.

Progress

Every metric across sessions.

Linking running mechanics to load and injury

Report each variable separately; there is no validated aggregate running-gait score.

MetricLink to performance or injuryEvidence

Performance linked to performance   Prospective linked to future injury in a cohort study   Mechanistic linked to tissue loading in lab studies   Practice coaching rationale

Metric definitions

Step metrics
Step length (m), cadence (steps/min)
Distance and rate of steps.
Ground contact / flight time (s)
Time on and off the ground per step.
Angles
Foot strike
Rearfoot, midfoot or forefoot contact.
Tibial inclination (°)
Shin angle at contact.
Knee flexion at contact and midstance (°)
Side-view knee angles.
Foot-to-COM position
How far ahead of the centre of mass the foot lands.
Pelvic drop (°)
Rear-view drop of the opposite pelvis in stance.
04 · Practitioner value

Running analysis, made objective

Clinic-friendly

A treadmill and two or three phones.

Objective

Step metrics and angles alongside the visual review.

Retraining

Re-test after cueing changes.

Fits the battery

Pairs with the SMAS sprint screen for faster running.

05 · Support

FAQs

Why no front view?

The treadmill console blocks it; side and rear give the key views.

Which speed?

2.0–3.0 m/s, recorded so you can repeat it.

Are CSV exports and APIs available?

CSV/Excel export for Enterprise and Academy users, and API access for Enterprise users.

  1. Pipkin A, Kotecki K, Hetzel S, Heiderscheit B. Reliability of a qualitative video analysis for running. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2016;46(7):556–561.
  2. Souza RB. An evidence-based videotaped running biomechanics analysis. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America. 2016;27(1):217–236.
  3. Heiderscheit BC, Chumanov ES, Michalski MP, Wille CM, Ryan MB. Effects of step rate manipulation on joint mechanics during running. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 2011;43(2):296–302.