Objective movement analysis, interpreted with biomechanics expertise
PhysAnalytica combines specialist biomechanics with physiotherapy and clinical services to provide detailed information about gait, loading, balance and movement where additional measurement can support better-informed decisions. Specialist assessment is available through our St Albans clinic at Batchwood.
Pressure Analysis • 3D Motion Capture • Gait & Balance • 3D Foot Scanning
Understanding movement through measurement
Biomechanics is the study of forces and movement within the human body. In a clinical and performance setting, it can help quantify aspects of movement that are difficult to assess through observation alone.
At PhysAnalytica, biomechanics is used selectively — when objective measurement can add useful information to a clinical, rehabilitation, orthotic or performance question.
Measure aspects of walking and running movement
Understand how forces and pressure are distributed through the feet
Quantify centre-of-pressure behaviour and weight distribution
Measure body and joint motion where more detailed analysis is appropriate
Biomechanics led by Dr Andrew Greenhalgh
PhysAnalytica's biomechanics services are led by Dr Andrew Greenhalgh, Founder and Head of Biomechanics. Dr Greenhalgh holds a PhD in Biomechanics and has more than two decades of experience spanning biomechanics research, university teaching, clinical collaboration and sport.
His role at PhysAnalytica is to lead the measurement, analysis and interpretation of biomechanical data and to work alongside clinical professionals where biomechanics can add useful information.
Technology chosen for the question
Different technologies measure different aspects of movement. PhysAnalytica uses the appropriate system depending on what needs to be understood.
Measures plantar pressure, loading patterns, gait timing, and balance-related centre-of-pressure information.
Provides detailed three-dimensional movement information where more advanced kinematic assessment is required.
Captures detailed foot geometry to support foot assessment and custom orthotic design.
Measurement has value when it is considered alongside symptoms, history, activity, and the individual's goals.
Movement and physiology
Where appropriate, specialist biomechanics can now be complemented by VO₂ Max and metabolic testing to provide information about both how someone moves and how their physiology responds to exercise.
Pressure, gait and balance analysis
Pressure-mat technology allows us to measure how force is distributed beneath the feet during standing and walking. It can provide objective information about loading, symmetry, pressure distribution, gait timing and balance.
Differences between sides are not automatically considered abnormal. Human movement varies naturally and measurements must be interpreted in context.
Advanced 3D movement analysis
For questions that require more detailed analysis, 3D motion capture can provide information about body segment and joint movement through three-dimensional space.
This can be useful in specialist gait, sporting or movement-analysis applications where pressure data alone does not answer the question.
Measure how body segments move through space.
Examine movement across relevant phases of an activity.
Where appropriate, standardised testing can be used to compare movement over time.
When measurement and clinical assessment work together
Biomechanics and physiotherapy answer different questions. Physiotherapy focuses on clinical assessment, diagnosis where appropriate, treatment and rehabilitation. Biomechanics provides additional objective information about movement and loading.
Where useful, these disciplines can be combined so that objective movement data supports clinical reasoning and rehabilitation planning.
- Symptoms and history
- Clinical assessment
- Diagnosis where appropriate
- Treatment
- Rehabilitation
- Return to activity
- Objective movement measurement
- Gait and loading data
- Balance information
- 3D movement analysis
- Repeatable quantitative assessment
Biomechanics-informed orthotics
Where custom orthotics are being considered, biomechanics can provide information about foot loading and gait that complements 3D foot shape information.
PhysAnalytica combines pressure-mat assessment, relevant clinical information and 3D foot scanning when prescribing custom 3D-printed orthotics.
Biomechanics for everyday movement through to sport
Specialist biomechanics is not only for elite athletes. The same principles of objective movement measurement can be applied to a wide range of questions.
Detailed kinematic and weight-bearing tracking for uneven strides, foot drop, or asymmetrical gait patterns.
Pinpointing repetitive mechanical strain across knees, hips, and ankles when previous treatments plateau.
Quantified center-of-pressure and sway metrics to identify instability risks and support targeted conditioning.
Cadence, impact attenuation, and ground reaction force analysis to refine training loads and prevent injury.
High-resolution biomechanical profiling to isolate fine power loss, deceleration symmetry, and sport-specific mechanics.
Precision spatial foot mapping ensuring orthotic prescriptions correct dynamic functional deficits rather than static shapes.
Objective milestone validation showing true recovery velocity and tissue tolerance following surgery or trauma.
Collaborative, data-backed reports delivering definitive movement facts to enrich coaching programs and clinical pathways.
Built on research, teaching and applied biomechanics
PhysAnalytica's biomechanics approach has been shaped by extensive experience in biomechanics research, university teaching, postgraduate supervision, clinical collaboration and applied sport.
That background informs how we collect, analyse and interpret movement data — with an emphasis on measurement quality, appropriate interpretation and clear communication.
Choose the assessment based on the question
For people wanting to understand walking, foot loading or balance using pressure-mat analysis.
For pain or injury where clinical assessment is required and movement measurement may add useful information.
For more detailed movement questions where specialist analysis or 3D motion capture may be appropriate.
If you are unsure which level of assessment you need, contact us before booking, and we can help identify the most appropriate starting point.
Biomechanics Appointments
Pressure, gait and balance assessment and related biomechanics services.
Specialist biomechanics appointments may also be available through selected PhysAnalytica clinical spaces in London by appointment.
By Appointment Only
Selected clinical consulting rooms across London. Contact us to discuss scheduling and room locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a movement question you want measured?
Book a gait and balance assessment, or contact PhysAnalytica if you need a more specialist biomechanics assessment.