If you’re a runner, at some point you’ve probably been told you “need a running assessment,” but what does that actually involve and who is it for?
A running assessment is a physiotherapist-led evaluation of how your body moves while running.
At Pollinate Health, our Melbourne-based physiotherapists provide running assessments that aim to identify movement patterns, physical capacity and load-management factors that may be relevant to pain, efficiency or training progression.
Running assessments are suitable for runners at all stages, from beginners to experienced runners, and can be used to guide rehabilitation, technique refinement or training decisions.
A running assessment is a comprehensive evaluation of your running technique, gait, biomechanics and physical capacity, conducted by a trained physiotherapist.
It examines how your body moves during running, how forces are generated and absorbed, and whether certain movement patterns or physical factors may be contributing to symptoms, inefficiency or increased load on specific structures.
Running biomechanics refers to the way your body moves when you run. This includes factors such as foot strike, cadence (steps per minute), stride length, posture and arm movement. These elements influence how efficiently you move and how load is distributed through your muscles, tendons and joints. Biomechanics vary between individuals, and there is no single “ideal” running style that suits everyone.
There are many reasons runners choose to have a running assessment. You may consider a running assessment if you are experiencing recurring or persistent running-related discomfort, are returning to running after injury, feel inefficient or fatigued during runs, are increasing training volume or intensity, or are new to running and would like guidance on technique and progression.
A running assessment can help clarify contributing factors and support informed decision-making around training or rehabilitation.
At Pollinate Health, our running assessments take a whole-person approach and are tailored to your goals, background and current concerns.
Your physiotherapist will assess your running gait on a treadmill, observing movement patterns from multiple angles. This may include assessment of foot strike pattern, cadence and stride length, hip, knee and ankle control, and trunk and arm movement.
Running places repeated load through the body. As part of your assessment, relevant strength, mobility and control are reviewed to understand how well your body manages these demands. This may include assessment of hip and lower-limb strength, joint mobility, training history and current load tolerance.
Where appropriate, slow-motion video analysis may be used to provide visual feedback. This can help you better understand how you run and how certain movement patterns may relate to symptoms, efficiency or fatigue. Findings and recommendations are discussed with you in detail, with practical guidance relevant to your individual goals.
There is no single definition of “perfect” running technique. Efficient running varies between individuals and is influenced by factors such as body structure, training history, injury background and goals. Many runners benefit from a comfortable, sustainable cadence, controlled posture with minimal unnecessary movement, and effective force absorption through the hips, knees and ankles.
Rather than forcing a particular running style, physiotherapists focus on identifying patterns that may be increasing load or limiting efficiency and exploring appropriate adjustments where relevant.
If you’re considering a running assessment at Pollinate Health, these FAQs cover the basics — including cost, timing, and who it may benefit.
A running assessment may help to identify movement patterns that place increased load on certain structures, inform strength, mobility or technique priorities, support appropriate and gradual training progression, and improve understanding of how your body responds to running.
Any recommendations are individualised and aim to support sustainable changes rather than abrupt technique overhauls.
A running assessment at Pollinate Health is $200. Your physiotherapist can discuss what is included and whether any follow-up sessions may be appropriate based on your individual circumstances.
Most running assessments take 60 minutes. Some runners may also choose to undertake additional physiological testing, such as aerobic or lactate testing, at an independent testing facility. Your physiotherapist can discuss whether this may be relevant for
The frequency of running assessments varies depending on your goals and situation. As a general guide, some runners choose to have an assessment every six to twelve months, or when returning to running after injury, increasing training load or intensity, or preparing for a new event or distance. Even if you are not currently injured, an assessment can still provide useful insights.
Running assessments are suitable for beginner runners, recreational and competitive runners, runners returning after injury, and anyone seeking a clearer understanding of how they run.
At Pollinate Health, running assessments are delivered by experienced physiotherapists with a strong understanding of running biomechanics and injury management. If you are looking for a physiotherapist-led running assessment in Melbourne, or would like to discuss whether an assessment is appropriate for you, please contact our team to make a booking or enquire further.
