Running Gait Analysis in Brookfield & Mequon

Improve your running form. Prevent injury. Run more efficiently.

Small inefficiencies in your stride can lead to recurring pain, wasted energy, and stalled performance.

A running gait analysis at Breathe in Motion Brookfield or Mequon breaks down how your body moves with every step—so you can train smarter, reduce injury risk, and get more out of your runs.

Whether you’re building mileage, returning from injury, or chasing a PR, understanding your movement is the starting point.

What is a Running Gait Analysis?

A running gait analysis is a detailed assessment performed by a Doctor of Physical Therapy to evaluate your running mechanics.

During your session, you’ll:

  • Run on a treadmill at speeds relevant to your training
  • Be recorded from multiple angles
  • Have your stride, alignment, and loading patterns analyzed

We look at how your body absorbs force, generates power, and maintains control throughout your stride.

physical therapist performing running analysis on a treadmill

Who is Running Analysis For?

This isn’t just for injured runners.

A gait analysis is valuable if you:

  • Have recurring aches in your knee, hip, ankle, or foot
  • Are increasing mileage or training intensity
  • Want to improve running efficiency and speed
  • Are returning to running after injury
  • Want to stay consistent without setbacks

Catching movement issues early can prevent bigger problems later.

What We Look at During Your Running Analysis

Your therapist evaluates the full system, not just your feet.

We assess:

  • Foot strike and ground contact
  • Stride length and cadence
  • Knee alignment and control
  • Hip stability and pelvic control
  • Trunk positioning and posture
  • Force absorption during landing

These details help us identify where stress is being over- or under-loaded.

How Running Analysis Helps Prevent Injury

Most running injuries build gradually, not from one bad run.

When your body isn’t distributing load efficiently, certain areas take on more stress over time.

A running gait analysis helps:

  • Identify movement patterns that increase joint stress
  • Detect strength or mobility limitations
  • Improve force absorption and control
  • Reduce strain on the knee, hip, and foot

This allows you to keep training without constant setbacks.

How Running Analysis Improves Performance

Better mechanics = better efficiency.

When your stride is optimized, you:

  • Use less energy per step
  • Maintain pace with less fatigue
  • Generate force more effectively
  • Improve overall running economy

Small adjustments can make a noticeable difference in how you feel and perform.

What Happens After Your Analysis

You won’t just leave with a video—you’ll leave with a plan.

Based on your results, we build a personalized program that may include:

  • Strength training to support your stride
  • Mobility work to improve movement options
  • Running drills to reinforce efficient mechanics
  • Guidance on mileage, pacing, and progression

This ensures your improvements carry over into real training.

Why Runners Choose Breathe in Motion

  • 55 minute 1:1 sessions with a Doctor of Physical Therapy
  • Performance-based approach—not just injury treatment
  • Focus on root cause, not just symptoms
  • Experience working with runners of all levels
  • Care designed around your goals and training schedule

We don’t just analyze your run—we help you change it.

Ready to Run Stronger and More Efficiently?

If you’re serious about improving your running and staying injury-free, this is where to start.

Serving runners in Brookfield and Mequon who want to move better, train smarter, and perform at a higher level.

Book your running gait analysis at Breathe in Motion and get a plan built for your stride, your goals, and your season.

Client Success Stories

Our treatments and services always begin with finding the root of any imbalances and pain. With our whole body approach, you’ll get moving AND FEELING YOUR BEST!

Carrie’s Story – Long-Distance Runner

Addie’s Story – Dancer

WHAT CLIENTS HAVE TO SAY

I’ve been seeing Stephanie for a shoulder injury. I appreciate her extreme care, her thoughtfulness, and most importantly her use of creative approaches to relieve the pain and help my shoulder heal. My number one goal is to avoid surgery and with Steph’s help, I have my best chance!

BW
This place is an absolutely amazing place to get Physical Therapy. I have been to many different medical facilities, and nothing has compared to the treatment that I get here. At first it may seem like a lot with the cost, but they will work with you, and it will be worth it in the end. I have done only 4/5 sessions so far and we have gotten more done than doing twenty sessions under insurance at a hospital system. The ladies that treat you here are super nice and understanding.
AM

Molly is incredibly knowledgeable! I saw her for pelvic floor health for my second pregnancy. She asked questions I haven’t been asked before and did a thorough evaluation to try and get to the root cause of ailments I had with my first pregnancy. She exudes passion for what she does and stressed the importance of prevention. She never made me feel silly for asking questions and explained what and why she was doing in a way I could understand. I would absolutely recommend Molly and Breathe in Motion to any pregnant and postpartum mamas!

AD

I’m a mom of two young and very active little ones. I had on and off low back pain since my last pregnancy and everyday life with my kids was becoming more painful and frustrating. I started therapy with Molly and was so impressed with her kind and compassionate demeanor, her knowledge, the quality of and her practice based on treating the whole person, listening to needs and helping achieve goals. I am back to chasing my kids and being active without pain! Molly is absolutely wonderful! So grateful.

KG

After coming to Breathe in Motion, I gained an entirely new understanding of how my body moves and what it actually needs to stay strong. As someone with a healthcare background, I’ve seen a lot of physical therapy—but this experience was different. Rather than focusing on one painful area, they looked at my whole body, uncovered movement patterns and core weaknesses I didn’t realize were holding me back, and helped me retrain how I engage, posture, and move during exercise. Through my sessions, I became more aware of when to use my core, how everything connects, and how to support my body long-term—especially as I work toward running multiple half marathons. Their holistic, thoughtful approach wasn’t about quick fixes; it was about real, lasting healing, and that’s what’s made me feel stronger and more prepared for whatever comes next.

JS