The Endurance Sport Experience
Athletes have two primary goals. Push the “performance envelope” each day while staying healthy – knowing that even minor, preventable injury can result in significant “downtime” away from training. Our unique, objective assessments provide athletes with an avenue to train hard while preventing injury.
Objective Assessments
Laboratories that only use cameras to assess kinematic data, without incorporating kinetic data, are unable to perform thorough motion analysis assessments. Our unique SPEED Clinic is home to an impressive array of equipment that facilitates objective analysis of both kinetic and kinematic data.
We have one of only two unique “force instrumented” treadmills worldwide. Custom made by Advanced Medical Technology Inc.(AMTI), the only other treadmill is housed at the US Army Research Center in Massachusetts. This treadmill allows us to capture kinetic data at 1000 times per second, in three planes simultaneously, that maximizes analysis of multi-stride forces throughout the running cycle. This technique quantifies sensitive and specific biomechanical variables such as joint torques and power. Additionally, a Vicon 624 camera system that utilizes 10, high speed, infrared cameras, captures kinematic data at 250 frames per second which allows us to examine range of motion of your joints during all phases of running and cycling. By combining both kinetic and kinematic data, we are subsequently able to provide you a detailed assessment of deficient biomechanical variables that may limit training and make you more vulnerable to overuse injuries.
Individual Impact
Although our assessments provide a comprehensive analysis of forces and joint mobility during running or cycling, we recognize that each individual possesses a unique combination of physiological attributes including joint flexibility, dynamic muscle control, and motor recruitment patterns. Based on these parameters, we recognize each individual has a unique training history and propensity for injury. Therefore, we spend ample time reviewing your training history and chronology of previous injuries.
We also perform a comprehensive musculoskeletal examination to identify specific, individual limitations in joint mobility, connective tissue integrity, and strength – that are pivotal to maximize gait dynamics. For example, a runner with a tight illiotibial band and a wide stride, will not improve performance by solely correcting stride mechanics without treating tissue tightness.
Additionally, our “bike fits” are customized to ensure comfort that translates to power, but more importantly, we fit “you to the bike”. We understand that “ bike fits” are genuinely effective following individualized training programs that address flexibility to ensure correct position while on a bike, and strength that maximizes application of force through bike levers.
Therefore, using an “individualized” approach incorporating your unique body characteristics, we are able to prescribe functional interventions that are only functional for “you”.
Results
Following each assessment session, our singular goal is to educate you. We take ample time to review your session on the same day, explain the numerous data numbers and graphs, and discuss variables that are important for you to incorporate in your training program. Based on your unique biomechanical limitations, we then provide you with a detailed written plan for functional strengthening exercises, stretches, and drills that can help you increase biomechanical efficiency and reduce the chance of injury. Additionally, we offer the option to demonstrate each exercise to ensure that you perform them correctly. We believe that performing exercises repeatedly, specific to your biomechanical parameters, is the key to unlocking your true athletic potential.
