1. A method for calculating a strain from characterization motion data, the method comprising: utilizing an intravascular mapping tool configured to be inserted into at least one of the endocardial or epicardial space, the mapping tool maneuvered to select locations proximate to surfaces of the heart, while collecting map points at the select locations to form a portion of a point cloud data set during at least one cardiac cycle; selecting first and second reference locations from the point cloud data set, wherein the first and second reference locations include at least a first and second map point, respectively; determining a reference distance between the first and second reference locations at a pre-defined temporal reference point in time, and an instantaneous distance between the first and second reference locations at a select point in time; and calculating a strain characteristic of wall tissue located between the first and second reference locations based on the instantaneous distance and the reference distance.