Running injuries are often the result of subtle, hard-to-detect biomechanical flaws—minute compensations, asymmetries, or inefficiencies that only become apparent under the right conditions. At Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, P.C. in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, we utilize a powerful combination of tools to bring these flaws into focus: video gait analysis performed on the AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill.
Why Traditional Gait Analysis Falls Short
In a standard gait evaluation, runners are typically analyzed at full body weight on a treadmill or track. While helpful, this method often fails to reveal the root cause of chronic pain or recurring injury. That’s because the brain instinctively protects painful or weak areas, masking the true underlying movement dysfunction.
When the body is offloaded—freed from the gravitational pull that normally forces these compensations—we can see what’s really happening.
The AlterG Advantage
The AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill uses differential air pressure to reduce body weight in precise increments—allowing runners to train or be assessed at as low as 20% of their body weight. When pain is no longer limiting movement, hidden biomechanical patterns start to emerge. Pairing this with high-frame-rate video capture allows us to slow down and scrutinize every phase of the running cycle with clinical precision.
What We Can Detect
Video gait analysis on the AlterG can reveal:
-
Pelvic drop or hip asymmetry
-
Overstriding or heel striking mechanics
-
Limited ankle dorsiflexion or reduced push-off
-
Knee valgus or lateral drift
-
Core instability or arm-leg timing issues
These insights are difficult to appreciate during standard clinical exams or even weight-bearing treadmill analysis—especially when discomfort is influencing natural movement.
A Clearer Picture Means Smarter Treatment
Once we uncover the true source of dysfunction, our sports medicine team can tailor more effective treatment plans. Whether that includes targeted physical therapy, strength training, orthotic evaluation, or a gradual return-to-run protocol, the AlterG provides a low-impact environment to retrain proper mechanics while reducing injury risk.
Ideal for More Than Just Injured Runners
While invaluable for runners recovering from injury, this combined analysis is also beneficial for:
-
Athletes transitioning back to sport post-surgery
-
New runners seeking to establish sound mechanics
-
Triathletes managing high training volumes
-
Masters runners working around arthritis or joint degeneration
Ready to See What You've Been Missing?
At Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, P.C. in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, we believe movement is medicine—and when we can see movement clearly, we can treat it more effectively. Let us help you uncover the root of your running injury with video gait analysis on the AlterG treadmill.
Contact Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, P.C., at our Lawrenceville office. Book an appointment online or call us directly to schedule your visit today.
