Why Every Netballer Needs a Biomechanical and Gait Assessment
Netball is a fast paced and physically demanding sport. Between the sudden stops, explosive jumps and sharp pivots, your feet and lower limbs take a massive beating every time you step onto the court. If you are constantly dealing with sore ankles, aching arches or knee pain, it might be time to look closer at how you move.
As a dedicated sports podiatrist in Ryde, I see firsthand the toll that court sports can take on the body. This is why a comprehensive biomechanical assessment is an absolute game changer for netball players of all levels.
What Exactly is a Biomechanical Assessment?
A biomechanical assessment is a detailed investigation into how your body moves. We do not just look at your feet in isolation. We examine your joints, muscle strength and overall alignment to see how they work together during dynamic movement.
When you play a sport as intense as netball, your body is subjected to forces many times your own body weight. If your mechanics are slightly off, those forces are directed into places they shouldn’t be, leading to tissue overload and injury.
Top Reasons Netballers Need an Assessment
- Identify the root cause of recurring foot and ankle pain
- Improve landing mechanics to prevent serious joint injuries
- Ensure your netball shoes are providing the correct support
- Enhance your push off power and overall court speed
The Power of Video Gait Analysis
A key part of our assessment at OnePointHealth Ryde is video gait analysis. While netball involves a lot of lateral and multidirectional movement, your baseline running and walking mechanics tell us a huge amount about your overall injury risk.
We use slow motion technology to break down your stride and landing patterns frame by frame. This evidence based approach allows us to spot tiny alignment issues that the naked eye misses. For example, if your foot rolls inwards excessively when you land, it places huge rotational stress on your knees and ankles. Catching this early is crucial for injury prevention and keeping you off the sideline.
Keeping You on the Court
Our goal is to keep the Eastwood Ryde Netball Association community healthy, active and performing at their peak. We want to identify and fix problems before they turn into season ending injuries.
Whether you need a targeted strength programme, advice on the best netball specific footwear or custom orthotics to support your foot structure, we have the tools to help. Do not let a preventable injury ruin your season. If you are looking for an expert podiatrist in Sydney to evaluate your movement, book an assessment with us today. Let us get you moving efficiently and playing pain free.
