New equipment helps Scott runners improve form Published March 20, 2013 By Airman 1st Class Joshua Eikren 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- The Health and Wellness Center can now improve Airmen's running skills with new gait analysis equipment. "Recommended by the exercise physiologists, this gait analysis equipment is used to assess individual's gaits (act of running or walking) and strides, to pinpoint abnormalities," said Kayce Beatty, 375th Aerospace Medical Squadron health and fitness specialist. Gait equipment is typically used in physical therapy to help athletes identify posture or movement related problems from injuries. "The gait analysis can slow down the video of the patient or athlete to see errors in running form," said Capt. Rett Reber, 375th Medical Group's physical therapy element chief. "With that information, the physical therapists can train individuals and give exercise techniques to improve running efficiency." The equipment uses a video camera to capture different angles of a person running or walking and breaks down each stride to determine the cause of issues of running pain like shin splints. "A nice property of this equipment is that it's transportable," said Beatty. "We can take a runner outside where they do most of their running and use it to help them gain knowledge on what they can do to improve." The HAWC offers one on one advice on how to fix running issues and can also recommend running shoes to reduce the risk of future injuries. "We look to better serve Scott members on techniques by teaching proper methods" said Beatty. "This will help carry our running programs to new levels and reduce injuries to our runners." The HAWC will be offering monthly sessions for individuals looking to use the gait analysis. For more information on classes call 256-7139.