I shared with my patient a really interesting article I read this past week (Cochrum et al, 2021). The study assessed if running coaches could visually assess a long distance runner's running economy. These 121 running coaches were coaching high school runners to runners at international level.
Running economy was measured in 5 trained recreational runners at about 12.8 km/ hour. The runners were filmed from the front, side and rear while running on a treadmill. There was a minimum VO2 difference of 2 mL.kg/ min between adjacent runners that the coaches visually assessed.
The coaches viewed each video and ranked the runners on a scale from 1 (most economical) to 5 (least economical). They also completed a demographic questionnaire and listed running style biomechanical observations they used in determining each ranking.
There was also a statistical algorithm to determine the effect of coaching level, years of coaching, training experience, competition level, certification status and educational level on the ability to accurately rank running economy.
Get ready for this, NONE of the coaches ranked them all correctly. Only 6 percent (or 7 out of 121 coaches) managed to identify 3 correctly.
In our clinics, we sometimes blame running economy (due to cadence, stride length, running style, gait) as a cause of problems or injuries. From the research paper, it is surprisingly difficult to judge visually.
Perhaps most runners do not have a "wrong" running style or form. Running mechanics are definitely self organized. As one trains more regularly, their body would gradually find the path of least resistance. The running style would then suit their anatomy and training load after accounting for their injury history, and strength.
Much research suggests that runners often become more economical simply by running regularly, without needing to consciously change their running style and technique (Van Hooren et al, 2024)
Does this mean most runners do not need running gait correction? Since biomechanical measures did not reliably predict injury suggesting that we cannot so easily "see a risky/ wrong running gait" and fix it.
Most healthcare professionals may disagree (since it means they cannot charge their patients more) and I would encourage you to pause and take a step back. Do not assume your running style is the problem however fancy these "advance" running gait analyses may promise. Especially if you are not injured.
I am also not saying running gait analysis is useless. It can be helpful when a runner is already injured. Small adjustments like shortening stride length, width or increasing cadence can easily help runners with knee pain and help them return to running more comfortably while the underlying tissue settles.
So, if you are a healthy, non injured runner looking to run faster or even prevent injuries, it's better to work on your strength, recovery, consistency, training load and progression. Your running style may not need correction. Your body would have already figured that out, especially if you are a serious runner with more than 5 years of consistent running.
I may look at and discuss running gait in our clinic as part of my assessment, but it is usually not a immediate area of concern. Personally I do not like looking at running gait on a treadmill since it will be different compared to running outside. I would get my patients to run outside while watching them if I need to.
Unfortunately there are many other healthcare professionals who do not understand this or choose not to understand (so they can make more money), to keep up with this misconception.
References
Cochrum RG, Conners RT, Caputo JL eyt al (2021). Visual Classification Of Running Economy By Distance Running Coaches. Eur J Sp Sci. 21(8): 1111-1118. DOI: 10.1080/17461391.2020.1824020
Van Hooren B, Jukic I, Cox M et L (2025). The Relationship Between Running Biomechanics And Running Economy: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Observational Studies. Soorts Med. 54(5): 1269-1316. DOI: 10.1007/s40279-024-01997-3
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