Understanding your biomechanics is one of the most effective ways to maximize your speed, improve your efficiency, and stay injury-free. There are multiple levels of analysis to help you at your best. The first level of analysis uses a basic form analysis tool. By simply recording a video on your smartphone, you can unlock immediate insights into your running mechanics.
For the most accurate analysis, please follow these guidelines carefully:
The Setup: Run on a treadmill at a comfortable, controlled jog for 3 minutes to warm up and settle into your natural stride. Note the exact speed of the treadmill.
Camera Quality: Have someone record you using a cell phone at 60 fps (frames per second) or higher. Recommended resolution is HD 1080p, but 720p will also work.
Framing: Record either vertically or horizontally. Use a 1× to 3× zoom to fit your entire body clearly within the frame. Avoid using the 0.5× fisheye lens, since it can distort movement and affect the analysis. Whenever possible, use a tripod or another stable support to keep the camera steady and level with the horizon.
Environment: If you are at a gym or public space, others can be in the background, but you (the runner) must be the most prominent person in the frame. Ensure lighting is bright and sufficient. If you are running in a garage, open the garage door during daylight hours.
The Clips: Record for 10-20 seconds. You will need two separate clips taken at about hip height:
One clip from the side profile.
One clip directly from the back (posterior).
Once uploaded, the tool provides live overlays and coaching guidance. Here are the most important side-view metrics it tracks:
Core Rhythm: Evaluates your cadence (steps per minute), stride length, and ground contact time. This helps determine how efficiently you are turning over your steps.
Impact & Efficiency: Analyzes your foot strike pattern (e.g., midfoot vs. heel), foot strike velocity, and vertical oscillation (your up-and-down bounce) to ensure your energy is propelling you forward, not upward.
Sagittal Kinematics: Measures critical joint angles (e.g., knee flexion, max hip extension, trunk lean, and arm carriage) to optimize your posture and stride power.
Joint Loads: Estimates the vertical load placed on your knees and ankles, serving as a vital proxy to help monitor stress and prevent overuse injuries.
The back-view analysis focuses heavily on side-to-side stability and alignment:
Kinematics: Evaluates pelvic drop (hip dip), dynamic knee valgus (inward knee collapse), lateral trunk flexion, and heel whip. Monitoring these helps protect against ACL issues and Patellofemoral Pain (PFP).
Impact & Efficiency: Measures your step width (the horizontal separation between your ankles) to help mitigate the risk of IT band friction or shin splints.
Core Rhythm & Joint Loads: Cross-references your ground contact time and vertical joint loads from a secondary angle for a complete picture of your biomechanics.
Privacy First: All videos uploaded to the AI Running Form app remain entirely local to your device. They are not transmitted to or stored on any external servers.
Medical Disclaimer: The advice and metrics generated by this tool are derived from pixel analysis in your video and may occasionally be inaccurate. The output is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace the professional diagnosis, advice, or guidance of a qualified physician or physical therapist. Always seek approval from a qualified medical professional before beginning any new exercise routines or attempting to alter your natural biomechanics.
There is a more advanced, event-specific AI analysis available through AlphaPeak for athletes seeking a deeper dive. We offer comprehensive Sports Performance Assessments with this advanced software.
A new Sports Performance Center from Intermountain Health is coming to Provo in 2028 to give a home to these in-depth assessments that will become an even greater cornerstone of our local and regional athletic development programs.
