Running gait retraining is one of the most powerful — yet most misunderstood — tools in a clinician’s toolkit. This course cuts through myths and oversimplified cues to provide an evidence-based framework for assessing and modifying running gait. Participants will learn when stride length reduction is appropriate, why step rate adjustments may not always reduce impact, and how to avoid focusing on trivial biomechanical details that fail to improve outcomes. By exploring the most common running styles and practical retraining protocols, clinicians will leave with a clear, research-informed strategy for guiding runners through meaningful gait changes that reduce injury risk and enhance performance.
Learning Objectives
After completing this course, participants will be able to:
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Differentiate between clinically meaningful gait modifications and trivial biomechanical adjustments that have little impact on outcomes.
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Implement gait retraining protocols designed to reduce stride length and appropriately manage tissue loading.
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Critically evaluate the evidence on step rate manipulation and its role in impact reduction and performance.
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Identify the five most common running styles and apply targeted strategies for modifying gait when clinically indicated.
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Develop individualized gait retraining plans that align with runner goals, reduce injury risk, and improve running efficiency.
CE Approval: This course is approved for 6 hours