For athletes in Lancashire searching for a clinical biomechanics assessment, the options are limited. Most physiotherapy clinics offer treadmill observation but not force plate testing. Most podiatry clinics offer static foot assessment but not running gait analysis. Very few offer both, at running speed, with a clinician trained specifically in sports biomechanics.
Premier Clinic at Lions Drive, Shadsworth Business Park, Blackburn is the answer. As a dedicated biomechanics clinic in Lancashire, Premier Clinic provides sports biomechanics assessments that combine video gait analysis, force plate technology, musculoskeletal examination, and Phits 3D-printed custom orthotic prescription for athletes across Blackburn, Darwen, Accrington, Burnley, Clitheroe, Preston, and the wider Lancashire area. No GP referral needed. Appointments available within the week.
What Is a Sports Biomechanics Assessment and Why Do Athletes Need One?
A sports biomechanics assessment is a clinical evaluation of how an athlete moves during sport-specific activity, identifying the specific mechanical factors that are driving injury, limiting performance, or creating injury risk. It goes further than a standard gait assessment because it captures movement at the speeds and intensities relevant to sport, not just walking pace.
For athletes, the clinical relevance of biomechanics assessment is direct. Every sport places repetitive mechanical demands on specific structures. A runner completes 70,000 footstrikes per foot per week at training volume. A footballer makes hundreds of cutting, landing, and striking movements per session. A cyclist applies force through a fixed cleat position thousands of times per hour. A small mechanical inefficiency in any of these patterns, repeated across weeks and months of training, accumulates into injury risk that standard treatment addresses only temporarily, because the pattern that created the injury is never corrected.
Biomechanics assessment does not simply confirm that an injury exists. It identifies which movement pattern is causing it, quantifies that pattern, and produces a prescription for changing it. This is the difference between treating a tissue and resolving the problem that keeps breaking it down.
What Premier Clinic’s Biomechanics Assessment in Lancashire Involves
Clinical History and Athlete Profile
The assessment begins with a structured clinical interview covering your injury history, training load and schedule, sport and event, previous assessments or treatments, and your specific goals. An athlete preparing for a marathon with plantar fasciitis needs a different assessment focus to a footballer with recurring hamstring strains. The clinical interview ensures the assessment is relevant to your sport and your situation.
Musculoskeletal Examination
A full physical examination covers foot posture and structure, ankle range of motion, subtalar joint mobility, knee alignment, hip strength and mobility, leg length discrepancy, and any existing injury findings. Specific tests assess the muscular weaknesses most commonly implicated in sport-related biomechanical problems, including hip abductor strength, single-leg squat mechanics, and calf endurance capacity.
Video Gait Analysis at Sport-Relevant Speed
Athletes are assessed walking and running on a treadmill, with video captured from the front and both sides simultaneously. Assessment at running speed is clinically essential for athletes because the mechanical demands at running speed are two to three times higher than at walking pace. Gait patterns that appear controlled at walking speed frequently break down at running speed, and the injury-driving patterns only become visible when the athlete is moving at the speed that provokes symptoms.
The clinician assesses foot strike pattern and position, rate and degree of pronation, tibial rotation, knee valgus angle, hip drop during single-leg stance, trunk lean and rotation, arm swing symmetry, and cadence. These findings are reviewed alongside the musculoskeletal examination to identify the structural and muscular factors driving the pattern.
Force Plate and Dynamic Footscan
For athletes being assessed for custom orthotic prescription, a dynamic footscan using force plate technology captures real-time pressure distribution during walking and running. With over 4,000 sensors recording every millisecond of the footstrike cycle, the footscan produces a pressure map showing precisely where each foot loads the ground, how force travels across the foot, and at what point in the gait cycle abnormal loading occurs. This data is uploaded directly into the Phits design portal for orthotic prescription, ensuring the device is designed around how the foot actually loads during sport rather than how it looks at rest.
Written Report and Personalised Treatment Plan
The assessment concludes with a written biomechanical report and a structured treatment plan. The report identifies the specific gait parameters measured, their clinical significance in relation to the athlete’s injury or performance goal, and the recommended interventions with an expected timeline. The plan is specific to this athlete, this sport, and this presentation.
Sports Biomechanics in Blackburn: Conditions and Injuries Assessed
| Sport / Activity | Common Biomechanical Issues | Assessment Focus |
| Running (road and trail) | Overpronation, hip drop, overstriding, low cadence | Running gait at multiple speeds, force plate, hip strength testing |
| Football | Ankle instability mechanics, knee valgus on cutting, hamstring loading pattern | Single-leg mechanics, foot loading, hip-knee-ankle chain assessment |
| Cycling | Knee valgus under load, Q-angle, foot contact mechanics through cleat | Foot biomechanics, cleat position, lower limb alignment |
| Triathlon | Run gait fatigue mechanics, transition gait changes, cycling-to-run biomechanics | Running gait with accumulated fatigue, bike-to-run transition mechanics |
| Rugby and contact sports | Landing mechanics, ankle instability, hip loading patterns | Single-leg landing, cutting mechanics, foot and ankle assessment |
| Gym and CrossFit athletes | Squat mechanics, deadlift loading, overhead position foot pressure | Functional movement screen, foot and ankle biomechanics, landing patterns |
| Tennis and racket sports | Lateral movement mechanics, serve stance loading, ankle supination tendency | Lateral gait, foot pressure mapping, ankle and hip assessment |
| Swimming | Hip flexibility affecting kick mechanics, shoulder-hip dissociation on turns | Hip mobility, ankle dorsiflexion, lower limb symmetry |
Custom Orthotics for Athletes: Phits 3D Technology at Premier Clinic
Where the biomechanics assessment identifies foot mechanics as a contributing factor, Premier Clinic prescribes custom orthotics using Phits 3D-printed technology. Phits are manufactured by Materialise, the world leader in medical 3D printing, from the dynamic footscan data captured during the assessment, to a manufacturing tolerance of 0.1mm.
For athletes, Phits offers specific advantages over traditional cast-based orthotics:
- The orthotic is designed from data captured during actual movement, not a static foot impression, which is clinically more relevant for athletes whose foot mechanics change significantly under load
- Manufacturing tolerance of 0.1mm ensures the device fits the specified geometry precisely, with no variability from casting technique or manual manufacture
- Sport-specific variants are available for road running shoes, trail shoes, football boots, cycling cleats, court shoes, and ski boots, with material and profile selected to match the mechanical demands of the sport
- The top cover, design profile, and material density are all specified by the prescribing clinician based on the individual assessment findings rather than a standard template
Traditional cast-based orthotics via Fit4U are also available where the clinical presentation indicates this approach. The prescribing clinician selects the most appropriate technology based on clinical need, not price point. Full pricing for both options is available on the Premier Clinic price list page.
Phits 3D-printed orthotics are used by multiple British and World Champion athletes. Premier Clinic at Lions Drive, Blackburn BB1 2QS is one of the few clinics in Lancashire offering this technology alongside the clinical biomechanics assessment required to prescribe it correctly.
What Happens After a Biomechanics Assessment: Treatment Options for Athletes
Biomechanics assessment is the starting point, not the complete programme. Depending on what the assessment finds, Premier Clinic co-ordinates the following interventions as a single integrated plan.
Physiotherapy and Targeted Strengthening
Most sport-related biomechanical problems have a muscular component alongside the foot mechanics. Hip abductor and gluteal weakness is among the most common, driving hip drop, knee valgus, and IT band loading in runners and field athletes. Physiotherapy at Premier Clinic provides a targeted strengthening programme specific to the weaknesses identified during the assessment, not a generic exercise sheet.
Sports Massage and Soft Tissue Treatment
Athletes with biomechanical problems develop secondary soft tissue adaptations: tight calf muscles, inhibited glutes, TFL hypertonicity, and fascial restrictions that limit the effectiveness of strengthening programmes and gait retraining. Sports massage at Premier Clinic addresses these secondary changes as part of the treatment programme.
Shockwave Therapy for Tendon Conditions
Where biomechanical loading has produced chronic tendon damage, the tissue requires biological stimulation alongside mechanical correction. Shockwave therapy at Premier Clinic is available in radial and focused forms, targeting the specific tissue pathology while the orthotic and rehabilitation programme corrects the loading pattern driving it.
AlterG Treadmill for Fitness Maintenance During Injury
Athletes who have sustained injuries that limit full weight-bearing can maintain cardiovascular fitness and neuromuscular conditioning during rehabilitation using Premier Clinic’s AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill. Reducing effective body weight to as little as 20%, the AlterG allows training at meaningful aerobic intensity before the healing structure can tolerate full mechanical load. Premier Clinic is one of the only clinics in Lancashire with this equipment on site.
Running Clinic and Return-to-Sport Assessment
Premier Clinic’s running clinic provides return-to-sport gait assessment following injury or rehabilitation, confirming that running mechanics have normalised before full training volume is resumed and providing documented clearance where required by coaches or event organisers.
Why Athletes Across Lancashire Choose Premier Clinic for Biomechanics Assessment
HCPC-Registered Sports Podiatrist With Masters-Level Training
Biomechanics assessments at Premier Clinic are conducted by Shaun Kelly, who holds a Masters-level qualification in musculoskeletal medicine, sports podiatry, and biomechanics, and brings over 20 years of post-graduate clinical experience including extensive work in sports settings. He is HCPC-registered and a member of the Royal College of Podiatry. His dual training in podiatry and musculoskeletal medicine means the assessment spans from foot mechanics to hip and spinal function, rather than being limited to the foot alone.
Force Plate and Video Technology Combined
Most gait analysis clinics in Lancashire use either video or pressure plate technology. Premier Clinic uses both. Force plate data quantifies the magnitude and distribution of loading during footstrike. Video analysis captures the movement patterns driving that loading. Together they produce a clinical picture that either technology alone cannot provide, particularly for identifying asymmetries between left and right sides and for quantifying the timing and degree of specific movement problems during running.
Integrated with the Full Clinical Team
Where a biomechanics assessment reveals the need for physiotherapy, podiatry, shockwave therapy, or rehabilitation, all of these services are on the same site at Premier Clinic with shared clinical records. The orthotics prescription, the physiotherapy strengthening programme, and the gait retraining plan are co-ordinated by the same clinical team rather than implemented in sequence by separate, non-communicating providers.
No GP Referral, Same-Week Appointments
Premier Clinic operates a self-referral model for all biomechanics and sports assessment services. Appointments are typically available within one week. Saturday morning slots are available from 9am to 1pm for athletes who cannot attend during working hours. The clinic is at 11 Cunningham Court, Lions Drive, Shadsworth Business Park, Blackburn BB1 2QS, with free on-site parking and M65 access for patients across Lancashire.
Gait Analysis Lancashire: How Premier Clinic Serves Athletes Across the Region
| Location | Travel to Premier Clinic Blackburn | M65 Junction |
| Darwen | Approximately 10 minutes | M65 J4 |
| Accrington | Approximately 15 minutes | M65 J7 |
| Burnley | Approximately 20 minutes | M65 J10 |
| Clitheroe | Approximately 25 minutes | A59 to Blackburn |
| Preston | Approximately 25 minutes | M6 to M65 |
| Bury | Approximately 30 minutes | M66 to M65 |
| Bolton | Approximately 30 minutes | M61 to M65 |
| Nelson and Colne | Approximately 20 minutes | M65 J13 |
Frequently Asked Questions: Biomechanics Assessment Lancashire
Q: Where can athletes get a biomechanics assessment in Lancashire?
A: Premier Clinic at 11 Cunningham Court, Lions Drive, Shadsworth Business Park, Blackburn BB1 2QS provides clinical biomechanics assessments for athletes across Lancashire. The assessment uses video gait analysis at running speed, force plate technology, musculoskeletal examination, and Phits 3D-printed custom orthotic prescription. No GP referral is needed. Call 01254 677341 or email info@premier-clinic.co.uk to book.
Q: What is the difference between a biomechanics assessment and a standard gait analysis?
A: A standard gait analysis typically refers to video observation of walking, either at a running shop or at a physio clinic, without force plate data, musculoskeletal examination, or clinical report. A biomechanics assessment at Premier Clinic is a full clinical evaluation that includes all of these components plus sport-specific assessment at running speed. The output is a clinical report and personalised treatment plan, not a shoe recommendation.
Q: How long does a biomechanics assessment take at Premier Clinic?
A: A full biomechanics assessment at Premier Clinic takes 60 to 90 minutes. This includes the clinical history and interview, musculoskeletal examination, video gait analysis, force plate footscan where applicable, and discussion of findings and treatment plan. A written report is produced following the assessment.
Q: Do I need to be injured to have a biomechanics assessment?
A: No. Athletes use biomechanics assessment both to identify the cause of existing injuries and to identify movement inefficiencies that are limiting performance or creating injury risk before symptoms develop. Many athletes at Premier Clinic request assessments during injury-free training blocks specifically to reduce future injury risk and improve movement economy.
Q: What types of custom orthotics are available through Premier Clinic’s biomechanics assessment in Lancashire?
A: Premier Clinic prescribes Phits 3D-printed custom orthotics manufactured from dynamic footscan data to 0.1mm tolerance, sport-specific variants for road running, trail running, football boots, cycling cleats, and other footwear; and cast-based custom orthotics via Fit4U where the clinical presentation indicates this approach. The prescribing clinician selects the most appropriate technology based on the assessment findings.
Q: Is there a biomechanics clinic in Lancashire for cyclists specifically?
A: Yes. Premier Clinic’s biomechanics assessment covers cycling-specific presentations including knee pain under load, cleat position and foot biomechanics through the pedalling cycle, and lower limb alignment during cycling. Sport-specific Phits orthotic variants for cycling shoes are available as part of the assessment and prescription process.
Book Your Biomechanics Assessment in Lancashire at Premier Clinic Blackburn
If recurring injury, unexplained performance limitation, or the same problem returning every time you build your training load has brought you to this point, a clinical biomechanics assessment is the appropriate next step. Not more rest. Not more massage. A thorough evaluation of how you move and what specifically is driving the problem.
Premier Clinic in Blackburn provides the most comprehensive sports biomechanics assessment available in Lancashire, with the clinical team, the technology, and the integrated treatment services to act on what the assessment finds. No GP referral needed.
Call 01254 677341 or email info@premier-clinic.co.uk to book your biomechanics assessment. Premier Clinic is at 11 Cunningham Court, Lions Drive, Shadsworth Business Park, Blackburn BB1 2QS. Open Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm. Free parking on site.
