What to Look for in the Running Form of injured athletes

Introduction

Khaldon, CEO and co-founder of Ochy, was once a high-level NCAA 400m athlete. Like many competitive runners, he suffered frequent injuries without truly understanding their cause. It wasn’t until he underwent a biomechanical analysis that he discovered the real culprit: his feet. Poor foot mechanics, repeated over thousands of strides, had been the root cause of his injuries.

This personal revelation inspired the creation of Ochy. Today, using video and artificial intelligence, Ochy enables healthcare professionals and coaches to detect gait issues before they turn into injuries — and to optimise their athletes’ performance.

You should never wait until an athlete is injured to analyse their running form. Preventive gait analysis is an essential tool to detect imbalances, correct faulty mechanics, and significantly reduce injury risk.

Foot Alignment at Impact

The way the foot lands is one of the most critical elements in assessing running form. A foot striking too far ahead of the body’s centre of gravity (overstriding) increases impact forces, while excessive inward or outward rotation disrupts lower-limb alignment. These imbalances can lead to plantar fasciitis, shin splints, or patellofemoral pain syndrome. With Ochy, it’s possible to measure the foot’s angle and position frame by frame, allowing professionals to detect and correct these issues before they become chronic.

Knee Position During Stance Phase

Knee alignment directly affects how forces are distributed across joints and muscles. A knee collapsing inward (valgus) or bowing outward (varus) places extra stress on ligaments, tendons, and the hip. These deviations increase the risk of patellar tendinitis, ACL injuries, or chronic hip pain. Ochy’s analysis provides a real-time visualisation of these misalignments and delivers accurate data to build targeted corrective plans.

Pelvic Movement

Pelvic stability is a major indicator of hip and core strength. An excessively tilted pelvis or one that drops noticeably to one side often signals muscular weakness or postural imbalance. This flaw can lead to lower back pain, hip bursitis, or iliotibial band syndrome. With Ochy, healthcare professionals can assess pelvic stability from multiple angles and track improvements over time.

Trunk Posture

The position of the trunk plays a central role in running dynamics. Leaning too far forward shifts the centre of gravity and increases stress on the lower back, while excessive backward extension can create neck and upper back tension. These postural issues — often linked to muscle weakness or poor technique — reduce running efficiency and heighten injury risk. Ochy’s technology measures trunk inclination with precision, helping professionals recommend tailored adjustments for each runner.

Arm Movement

Arm coordination directly influences balance, symmetry, and running fluidity. Arms crossing the body’s midline or lacking sufficient swing create unwanted rotational forces, putting unnecessary strain on the spine and hips. This can lead to back pain, chronic imbalances, and reduced running economy. Ochy’s AI detects these asymmetries and suggests corrections to improve arm-leg coordination.

Conclusion

Faulty running mechanics may seem harmless in the short term, but repeated over thousands of steps, they become a leading cause of injury. Foot placement, knee alignment, pelvic stability, trunk posture, and arm coordination — all of these elements are measurable and correctable with Ochy.

Prevention is always better than cure. Don’t wait for pain to appear — install Ochy, run a full biomechanical analysis, and identify risk factors before they develop into injuries. And if your athletes are already injured, use Ochy to pinpoint the exact source of the problem and design an effective rehabilitation plan.

👉 Try Ochy for yourself!

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