The technology of gait analysis is moving rapidly. Human gait is very complex, and a through understanding of it demands with the basic principles of biomechanics and the technology used to measure gait. Some professionals reluctance to use gait analysis may be due to the amount of time and effort necessary to accomplish this and the necessity for teamwork among the disciplines involved. Any form of observational gait analysis has limited precision and is more descriptive than quantative. The techniques of 3-D kinetic and kinematic analysis can provide a detailed biomechanical description of normal and pathological gait. This article review gait characteristics and procedures that are available for gait analysis. We are certain that, given the steady advance of technology and our continued efforts to document the benefits of that technology. gait analysis will soon be a routine part of the evaluation of both the elite athlete and the physically impaired adult or child.