Running Gait Analysis in Maine: Optimize Your Form, Stay Injury-Free

Is Your Running Form Holding You Back?

Ever feel like you’re working harder than you should be? Or dealing with the same nagging injuries no matter how much you stretch or strengthen? Your running form might be playing a bigger role than you think.

At Steady State Health in Portland, we work with runners throughout Southern Maine to help them run smarter, stay injury-free, and feel stronger with every stride.

Who Benefits from a Running Gait Analysis?

You’re stuck in an injury cycle – Achilles pain, IT band issues, knee trouble that won’t quit.
You feel inefficient – Like you’re putting in too much effort for your pace.
You’re postpartum – Easing back into running and want to do it safely.
You want an edge – Looking for small tweaks to maximize endurance and speed.
You’re just starting out – Want to build good habits and run pain-free from day one.

What a Gait Analysis Looks Like (No, It’s Not Just a Treadmill Video)

If you’ve ever had a shoe store watch you jog for 30 seconds, this is not that. Our running specialists take a deep dive into how your body moves and what small, practical adjustments can help you run stronger. Here’s what we look at:

Video Analysis

Slow-motion breakdown of your mechanics from multiple angles.

Strength & Mobility Check

We assess key muscles that influence your stride.

Loading Mechanics

How your body absorbs impact and pushes off with each step.

Symmetry

Our hi-tech running sensor provides symmetry data between both sides of your body.

Practical Adjustments

Simple tweaks that fit your natural running style (no extreme overhauls).

Game Plan

Strength, mobility, and training adjustments designed for you.

Real Runners, Real Fixes: Success Stories from Maine Runners

Take Sarah, a runner from Cape Elizabeth. She came to us after struggling with knee pain while training for the Beach to Beacon 10K. Turns out, she was overstriding just enough to overload her quads—something she never noticed until we broke down her form. A couple of tweaks, plus some targeted strength work, and she was back to pain-free long runs.

Common Running Form Mistakes We See Around Portland

We don’t believe in rigid “perfect form” ideals—but some patterns can contribute to inefficiency and injuries. Here are a few common issues:

Overstriding

Your foot lands too far in front of your body, increasing impact forces.

Low cadence

Taking too few steps per minute, often linked to overstriding.

Hip drop

Your pelvis isn’t staying stable, leading to extra stress on your knees and hips.

Lack of push-off power

Weak propulsion, making your stride feel sluggish.

Asymmetry

A lack of mobility or strength throughout your spine, hips, ankles, or toes that contribute to feeling “twisted” while you run.

Instead of forcing unnatural changes, we adjust what truly matters—helping you move efficiently without overthinking every step.

How a Gait Analysis Helps You Run Stronger & Stay Injury-Free

A running gait analysis isn’t just about seeing how you move—it’s about making meaningful changes that translate into better training and fewer injuries. With our data-driven approach, you’ll walk away with:

Clarity on how your mechanics impact performance & injury risk.
Subtle, effective changes that fit your natural running style.
A training roadmap with strength and mobility work to reinforce improvements.

Serving Runners in Portland, Scarborough, and Across Southern Maine

Whether you’re doing speed work at Fitzpatrick Stadium, cruising along Rt 88 in Falmouth, or building mileage on the Eastern Trail, your running form matters.