Gait Analysis

Has your organization been searching for a reliable and accurate way to conduct gait analysis? Cortex has embedded software solutions for walking and running gait analysis that can be added on for an additional charge. GaitTrak and RunTrak simplify the process of tracking and measuring walking and running gaits, respectively. Whether you’re a physical therapist looking for movement pathologies or an athletics specialist comparing athletes’ sports performance, Cortex will be able to completely meet your needs. Contact us today to learn more or to request a quote.

What is Gait and Gait Analysis?

The term “gait” refers to the pattern of how a person walks or runs. Medical professionals can tell a lot about a person’s overall health from their gait, including whether they have neurologic, muscular, or skeletal problems. Gait has two phases: the swing phase and the stance phase. The swing phase begins when the foot leaves the ground and ends when the heel of the foot strikes the ground. The stance phase occurs when the foot is in contact with the ground, starting with the heel strike and ending with the toes off of the same foot. Running gait differs from walking gait analysis. Whereas the swing phase in walking gait involves striking the heel, running gait generally involves a midfoot strike with more forefoot landing as running speed is increased. Running gait also incorporates more full-body movement than walking. There are a number of injuries that are caused by poor gait, including plantar fasciitis, shin splints, tendonitis, and hip and lower back pain. Gait analysis is the systematic, clinical study of how a person moves through the swing and stance phases. It’s often used to assess and treat individuals with conditions that affect their ability to walk or run. In sports biomechanics, it can be used to identify an athlete’s strengths and weaknesses to help improve their performance. Using Cortex’s GaitTrak or RunTrak and motion capture cameras, evaluators can look at the mechanics of a subject’s movements at each phase of the gait cycle. By watching how these small movements come together as a whole, an evaluator can determine if there are pathologies. In the case of athletics, it can also be used to determine how a subject can improve their performance. GaitTrak and RunTrak both provide a simplified gait measurement report using Microsoft Excel templates. The subject is equipped with motion capture markers, and all the evaluator needs to do is input the trials to be calculated, the subject’s information, and the events to be measured. If you’d like to learn more about Cortex, GaitTrak, RunTrak, or our motion capture packages, including cameras, contact us today at +1 (707) 579-6521.

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