Biomechanical Video Analysis for Athletic Performance, Injury Prevention and Post-Injury Care
The Sports Medicine specialists at Nationwide Children’s Hospital use biomechanical video analysis to study individual athletic performance. Coaches, athletic trainers or doctors can evaluate how athletes move to identify stresses on the body that could affect performance, lead to injury or delay healing. Professionals call these movements or stressors “mechanical deviations.”
Whether your athlete is looking to get to the top of their game or get back in the game after an injury, video analysis at Nationwide Children’s can help.
What Are the Benefits of Biomechanical Video Analysis?
Biomechanical video analysis is a great option for athletes looking for a customized performance or rehabilitation plan. It allows providers to create a plan to correct deficient movement patterns which can, in turn, reduce the likelihood of injury or re-injury and improve athletic performance. Videos can be shared between coaches, trainers and other staff to create a cohesive plan. So why should an athlete consider it?
- Improve performance or technique. Many people seek video analysis to be at the top of their game. Video analysis can show more efficient movement or how to correct form. Recording offers a clear snapshot and baseline to show improvement over time. The immediate visual feedback helps the athlete improve form and mechanics.
- Prevent injury. Spotting bad posture or extra strain on the body early can stop pain or injuries from occurring or coming back. Analysis can quickly identify and correct mechanical errors that can contribute or lead to musculoskeletal injuries.
- Support post-injury rehabilitation and recovery. For someone healing from an injury, video helps track progress and ensure they’re moving correctly. Some athletes opt to continue beyond what rehab/therapy insurance covers.
How Does Biomechanical Video Analysis Work and Who Can Get It?
Biomechanical video analysis is offered at four Nationwide Children’s Sports Medicine locations in central Ohio. Certified athletic trainers and sports performance specialists perform the analysis. The team can see patients from ages 5-25. During the session, they will:
- Record movement. The team films your athlete doing the activity or motion that is affecting performance.
- Analyze playback. The Sports Medicine specialist evaluates the film frame by frame to analyze movement.
- Develop plan. Corrective exercises or drills are developed based on your athlete’s unique needs.
What Does a Session Look Like and What Is Included?
Families have the choice to schedule one or two sessions.
- One-session package includes: physical exam, video analysis review, copies of the videos and corrective drills/exercises
- Two-session package includes:
- Session one: physical exam, video analysis review, copies of the videos and corrective drills/exercises
- Session two: follow-up visit with review of corrective exercise performance, and follow-up video analysis to compare with original
During the initial session, your athlete receives their customized plan, which includes drills and exercises. Their plan is provided with hands-on instruction and demonstration after the video analysis. Some exercises are also provided on a printed handout. If a drill or exercise is prescribed and there are no pictures available, your clinician will demonstrate and perform the movement, write it down on their home instructions, then print it on the after visit summary.
What Do We Analyze?
While each athlete is unique, there are certain common traits that are analyzed per sport.
Golfers who want tips for how to improve golf swing can have their swing analyzed. Golf swing analysis is available through the Golf Medicine Program.
Throwing analysis is helpful for patients who are returning from or seeking to prevent throwing injuries, such as Little League shoulder, Little League elbow, rotator cuff injuries and shoulder impingement. Key risk factors, such as posture, arm/elbow positioning, pitching and throwing form/technique, and lower extremity mechanics, are evaluated.
Some of our most common requests are how to prevent running injuries and reviewing gait analysis. Running analysis is useful for patients who are returning from or seeking to prevent injuries, such as patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFS), IT band syndrome, shin splints, Achilles tendonitis and stress injuries. Key risk factors, such as hip, knee and ankle positioning, posture and cadence are evaluated.
Soccer analysis is useful for evaluating the in-step kick for patients who are returning from, or seeking to prevent injuries, such as lower leg muscle strains, apophysitis, tendonitis, and back/hip/knee/ankle/foot pain. Key risk factors, such as posture, core/hip strength, lower extremity flexibility and mechanics are evaluated.
Swimming analysis is done to evaluate all strokes, swimming form and technique. It is useful for patients returning from or seeking to prevent shoulder impingement, scapular dysfunction, rotator cuff injuries and knee pain. Key risk factors, such as core musculature strength and control, breathing mechanics, and upper/lower extremity coordination and mechanics, are evaluated.
Hitting analysis is helpful for patients who are returning from or seeking to prevent injuries, such as biceps tendonitis, rotator cuff injuries, and shoulder impingement. Key risk factors, such as posture, arm/elbow positioning, core activation and lower extremity mechanics, are evaluated.
How Much Does Biomechanical Video Analysis Cost?
Biomechanical video analysis is called a fee for service offering. This means it is not covered by insurance.
- Running/Throwing/Pitching/Volleyball Hitting analysis is $150 for two 45-minute sessions or $100 for one 60-minute session.
- Swimming Stroke analysis is $100 for one 60-minute session.
Where Is Biomechanical Video Analysis Offered?
Our team is committed to finding the right fit for your needs, so please let us know the type of analysis you need when scheduling. Our team will match you with the most suitable location to meet your goals.
- Tailored services: Not every service is offered at every site, as our staff specialize in different types of analysis.
- Swimming analysis: Accessible pools are available at two of our locations for this service.
- Flexible options: Locations may vary depending on the analysis required, and our team will walk you through the available choices during scheduling.
Westerville Sports Medicine Center
584 County Line Rd W
Westerville, OH 43082
Dublin Sports Medicine Center
5680 Venture Drive
Dublin, OH 43017
Livingston Orthopedic & Surgery Center
405 Butterfly Gardens Drive
Columbus, OH 43215
Philip Heit Center for Healthy New Albany
150 West Main St.
New Albany, OH 43054
How Do I Schedule Biomechanical Video Analysis?
There are three ways to schedule.
Why Choose Nationwide Children’s for Biomechanical Video Analysis
Children and teens to age 18 require expert care. These kids are still growing. And their health care needs are unique. Our staff of doctors, athletic trainers and physical therapists are trained to provide age-appropriate care for our patients. We emphasize the importance of early injury recognition and treatment to prevent recurring injuries. In addition to treatment, we partner with parents and coaches to focus on injury prevention, conditioning and age-appropriate activities.
