After just finishing the Brighton Marathon, I am still achey but damn happy that I completed one of my biggest goals set for 2018. When I think back to my preparation, there were plenty of times where I thought a prior injury (a pretty terrible ankle injury that stopped me running for 3 months) would bring my training to a halt and make my marathon possibilities but an dream. ‘40% of runners’ express having niggles here and there and ‘20%’ find themselves out of action for almost a month due to injury. With this in mind, when I was approached to test out DorsaVi’s new ViMove2 I didn’t know what to expect or how it would impact my running. What I did know is that I would be finding out a lot more about the way I run and hopefully, how I can improve.
This is how the website describes the DorsaVi ViMove2: ‘ViMove2 features smaller, faster and easier to use sensors, together with a simplified software interface, improved reporting tools, out of clinic monitoring, comprehensive exercise video library and a free patient app to deliver assessment data, customised exercise programs and facilitate out of clinic monitoring’.
The Test
I headed over to the Hemel Running Clinic to give it all a go which is pretty close to London. Glen Robbins and Gemma Bitaraf hosted the session and made me feel welcome instantly. With any testing, you almost expect a big lab or massive equipment, but no, the great thing about this test is that all that is needed are the ViMove2 sensors, two really small electronic devices that are placed on your legs and some tape to hold them there if you have hairy legs like myself. Thats it! Before I jumped on the treadmill, I had a quick consultation regarding my running history and any problems I have had along the way (which is pretty normal when seeing any physio or running coach). Then I had my flexibility tested, which is always a joke with me, I’m basically a tree when it comes to flexibility.
After this it was onto the treadmill for an actual look at how I run. Looking at my form, posture and cadence with the help of a camera (always funny looking at how you run). With a few minuets of running and back and fourth with the running coaches and myself, they had a good idea of what type of runner I am and maybe some of my shortfalls. After the guys analysed the data from the Vimove sensors and the video, they started adding pointers to help adjust aspects of my movement such as straightening my back (I have a bad habit of leaning into my run) and increasing my cadence (the amount of times my feet hit the floor within a minute).
My Thoughts
After the actual consultation and a sit down with the team to go through some of the data, I feel as if I have a better understanding of the way I run and how it can be improved. I think the best thing is that the ViMove 2 is that it is entirely democratic so it can be used on anyone regardless of age or ability. When it comes to injury prevention or rehabilitation, that is one of the most important factors. We are all different and need different pointers and advice. It allows you to understand the forces that act on your body and see the data of you run almost instantly, without needing to be transported to a laboratory.
With this data, they created a workout plan for me to improve some of my shortfalls when it comes to running (that I can perform away from the testing situation) with the intention of returning in the future to see how its helped. I think that seeing numbers from the technology validated what the physio mentioned about me before I even started running.
As it is running season and many people are attempting anything from 5k to marathon distance races, I would recommend that you get a good evaluation of your technique and the way you run, with the hopes that there can be improvements made. Being runners, I think the main thing we are always looking to do is improve. I would recommend finding a clinic close to you (you can find out more on their website) that will allow you to do this.
Have you tried out DorsaVi ViMove before? how do you feel it impacted your performance or recovery? let me know in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
Image credits to DorsaVi
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