Gait Analysis: how to do a complete gait test step by step

Walking is something we do thousands of times a day without thinking about it, and that's exactly why it's such a revealing motor pattern: any imbalance, pain, or mobility limitation tends to leave its mark on the way someone walks. Gait analysis lets you spot these compensatory patterns before they turn into overload or injury.

What does this test measure?

Gait analysis evaluates how a person moves through the walking cycle (stance and swing of each leg), looking for asymmetries, compensations, and inefficient patterns. It looks at the alignment of the feet, knees, hips, and pelvis, stride length, rhythm, and weight transfer.

It's not a "positive/negative" test like a classic orthopedic test, but a structured qualitative observation that gives you clues about where to look in more detail.

Equipment needed

• A hallway or space of at least 8-10 meters, free of obstacles
• A camera or phone to record from the front, back, and side (highly recommended)
• The subject's usual footwear (and optionally barefoot, for comparison)
• Optional: a video analysis app with slow motion to review key frames

Step-by-step protocol

1. Ask the subject to walk at their normal pace from one end of the space to the other, back and forth, several times
2. Record at least 3 passes from behind (posterior view), from the front, and from the side (both sides)
3. Observe in each plane:

- Posterior view: pelvic symmetry, hip drop (dynamic Trendelenburg), foot rotation, heel position - Lateral view: stride length, heel strike vs. flat-foot contact, knee flexion during stance, arm swing - Frontal view: knee alignment (dynamic varus/valgus), base of support

1. Repeat the process at a faster pace (brisk walking) if the goal is sport-related, since many compensations only appear under higher demand
2. Review the video in slow motion and note findings by segment (foot/ankle, knee, hip/pelvis, trunk)

Common mistakes

• Analyzing only one plane (the most useful information usually comes from combining all three)
• Asking the subject to "walk normally" without letting them relax (people tend to walk unnaturally if they know they're being observed)
• Not systematically comparing both sides of the body
• Drawing conclusions from a single pass, without repetition

How to interpret the result

Observed finding	Possible relation
Marked contralateral hip drop (dynamic Trendelenburg)	Weakness of the gluteus medius on the stance side
Excessive internal knee rotation during stance	Possible weakness of hip external rotators, dynamic valgus
Flat-foot contact without a clear heel strike phase	Altered gait pattern, check ankle mobility
Marked asymmetry in stride length	Possible pain, mobility restriction, or history of injury on one side
Little or no trunk/arm rotation	Thoracic stiffness, inefficient gait pattern

The value of this test lies in detecting repeated patterns, not isolated findings from a single pass. If the same pattern shows up consistently across several passes and different speeds, it deserves attention.

Relationship with other tests

Gait analysis is a good starting point for deciding which more specific tests to do next:

• Trunk Control Test — if you notice a lack of trunk rotation or stability while walking
• Lateral Hop Test — to confirm whether an asymmetry observed while walking holds up under more demanding conditions

Record and compare with Movalytics

Gait analysis is much more useful when you can compare recordings over time. With Movalytics you can save your observations and notes from each assessment alongside the rest of the athlete's or patient's data, and review the evolution of findings session by session without digging through folders of loose videos.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need specialized equipment to analyze gait? It's not essential. With a phone, a clear space, and views from multiple angles, you can do a very useful qualitative assessment. Specialized equipment (pressure plates, 3D systems) adds precision, but isn't necessary for a functional screen. How does this differ from running analysis? They share the same logic, but walking and running are different motor patterns (running has a flight phase that doesn't exist in walking). If your client is a runner, running analysis complements, but doesn't replace, gait analysis. When should I refer to a specialist after a gait analysis? If you observe marked and persistent asymmetries, pain during walking, or very atypical patterns that don't improve with basic interventions, it's reasonable to refer to physical therapy or podiatry for a more detailed assessment.