Why Every Runner Needs a Movement Assessment (And What Most Are Missing)

By Elite Movement

Whether you’re chasing a PR or logging easy miles before sunrise, every runner wants to move pain-free, train harder, and keep running for years to come. But here’s the truth: most runners are overlooking the one thing that could dramatically improve performance and prevent injury — a proper movement assessment.

At Elite Movement, we don’t believe in guesswork. Our Running Assessment was built specifically for runners like you — whether you're just getting started or training for your next marathon. It’s a detailed, science-backed look at how your body moves, where you're limited, and how that shows up in your gait and training.

Why It Matters

Let’s be real: running is repetitive. That’s a lot of force — and a lot of opportunity for breakdown — if you have even small imbalances. Over time, limited ankle mobility, poor single-leg strength, or reduced hip stability don’t just impact your speed — they set you up for injuries like:

• Plantar fasciitis

• Shin splints

• IT band syndrome

• Knee pain

• Achilles tendon issues

In fact, research shows that over 70% of recreational runners get injured annually. Why? Because they train without first addressing their movement foundation.

What We Assess

Our comprehensive Running Assessment includes:

• Hip and ankle mobility – Are your joints moving freely enough to absorb impact and create propulsion?

• Glute and calf strength – Can your muscles support you through every stride?

• Single-leg stability – Are you balanced? Or compensating with the wrong muscle groups?

• Treadmill gait analysis – How do your hips, knees, and ankles move through each step? Are you midline stable?

• Postural and foot strike analysis – Are you overstriding, collapsing, or compensating somewhere?

We even assess your calf endurance using research-based metrics like those from Hébert-Losier et al. (2017), which show clear age-related standards for single-leg calf raises. Weakness here is one of the earliest signs of breakdown in the kinetic chain — but rarely caught early enough.

Cross-Training Smarter — Not Just More

Cross-training is critical for runners, but only when it’s tailored. With your assessment results, we build a personalized cross-training roadmap that targets your weak links, reinforces movement patterns, and complements your training — not competes with it.

Whether it's mobility drills, stability work, or strength-based interventions, we ensure every exercise supports your running goals.

Real Results from Real Runners

One of our athletes, a high school cross-country runner, came in with recurring shin pain. After our assessment, we found limited ankle dorsiflexion and poor glute strength. A 6-week mobility + strength protocol later? Pain-free runs and a new mile PR.

Another hybrid athlete training for a half marathon + lifting regimen was dealing with nagging hip tightness. Post-assessment, we identified hip mobility and strength deficits and built a 3-day cross-training plan that unlocked his stride and helped him stay injury-free.

Ready to Run Stronger, Longer, and Pain-Free?

Your next PR doesn’t start with more miles — it starts with a smarter foundation. Let us help you move better, train stronger, and run with purpose.

👉 Book your Running Assessment today

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📍 Elite Movement | Winston-Salem, NC