Stride 3D is a company that helps runners become more efficient through a 3D running gait analysis. The data provides athletes with specific exercises and drills to improve their running gait.
“We're trying to get you to be the most efficient version of you and give each specific runner a specific cue or drill that works for them to try to get those mechanics within a little more acceptable ranges to reduce their risk for injury for one and two to help make them more efficient,” said Dr. Bret Maiers, who owns Stride 3D.
Maiers is a physical therapist at Idaho National Laboratory and one of his passions is running. Even his wife and kids love to run!
“I've just been surrounded by it a lot, and that's kind of what's driven me into this,” Maiers said.
Running is a fundamental aspect of almost any sport; it requires some form of movement and energy. A 3D running analysis breaks down exactly how an athlete can improve their technique.
The 3D running gait analysis relies on a marker-based system, the gold standard of motion capture tech, Maiers said. This technology is familiar when runners consider big films like “Avatar.”
“They put actors in special suits, and they attach these reflective markers to joints, to body parts, and they have these super expensive camera systems that are tracking those actors' movements in space,” Maiers said.
At Stride 3D, a Helix 3D system made by RunDNA analyzes a runner’s gait. Three cameras sit on a bar on top of a tripod behind a treadmill. Eighteen markers are placed on the back, pelvis, hips, knees and feet of the runner. Where two infrared cameras converge at a single marker point, the system can generate a 3D model of the runner.
Within 10 seconds of capturing the movement, Maiers can get a 3D model and analyze the runner’s gait.
“The system's tracking over 40 to 50 points of data, with all these markers on there. It's really gathering so much information,” Maiers said. “And by the time it's done, it coalesces everything into 21 different metrics that we're tracking.”
A 3D running gait analysis allows Maiers to give specific exercise prescriptions, form cues and drills for the runner. The system will also place the runner in a specific category as well as the primary factor for it based on the data collected.
“You [could] have three or four runners that maybe fit the same category, but each of those runners might need a different cue or a different drill that resonates with them to get them to where they need to go,” Maiers said. “And so that's the benefit of the specificity of a 3D gate analysis system like this.”
With the category, comes a score of efficiency based on that runner. This tells how much room there is for improvement. By slowing down the process, the analysis shows exactly where and how to improve their technique.
Maiers also tests the runner’s technique, mobility and strength.
Most people come in for a full assessment of 60 to 90 minutes. This includes factors that impact running like their history, injury history and sleeping habits. Along with the 3D running gait analysis, is a mobility and strength test.
“[The goal is to] help [running athletes] become the most efficient version of themselves so that they can enjoy the sport, continue to do what they love to do and do it injury-free so they can do it as long as possible,” Maiers said.
To learn more, go to Stride3D on Facebook or stride3drunning on Instagram. To schedule an appointment email stride3drunning@gmail.com