Runners' joint health is focus of new wearable gadget

Most wearables claim they can tell you a lot and runScribe is no exception, although company founders readily admit that they are learning too, and their goal is to understand the kinematics of running to better avoid injury.

Equipped with a 9-axis kinematic sensor, their device captures a 3D image of the runner's gait, assessing foot strike type, stride length and contact time in the corresponding app's most basic format.

Upgrade to the "pro" version of the app to access data on 13 kinematic metrics including degrees of pronation; runStrike Science is the most advanced version of the package and allows runners to access charts representing their accelerometer data and requires a device for each foot.

The device can be used by casual runners although it applies to all disciplines of track and field for it is capable of analyzing hurdles, jumps, sprints and distance runs.

The makers of runScribe freely admit to having "a shoe obsession" and their device allows users to compare their performance in different shoes.

A variety of running shoes abound making different claims as to what they can offer runners in terms of efficiency and joint safety and runStrike aims to help users answer the question of which shoes are best for them based on their goals and kinetic style.

According to founders, 65 percent of runners are injured each year and while kinetic research is breaking ground, more is needed to determine exactly why certain injuries occur and one of their primary goals is to create a kinematic metric database with the help of its community.

With 24 days of crowdfunding remaining, founders had raised over $113,000, more than double their goal of $50,000.

RunScribe can be pre-ordered on the company's Kickstarter page in various forms for between $99 and $379, although opportunities are running out.

Delivery is expected in either November or December of this year.