6533b81ffe1ef96bd1278559

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Self-selected running gait modifications reduce acute impact loading, awkwardness, and effort

Yangjian HuangSulin ChengSulin ChengGang ChenPeter B. ShullRoy T.h. CheungHaisheng Xia

subject

medicine.medical_specialtyGait retrainingbusiness.industry0206 medical engineeringPhysical Therapy Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation030229 sport sciences02 engineering and technology020601 biomedical engineeringbody regions03 medical and health sciencesRunning gait0302 clinical medicinePhysical medicine and rehabilitationGait (human)Impact loadingmedicineOrthopedics and Sports Medicinebusinesshuman activities

description

Impact loading has been associated with running-related injuries, and gait retraining has been suggested as a means of reducing impact loading and lowering the risk of injury. However, gait retraining can lead to increased perceived awkwardness and effort. The influence of specifically trained and self-selected running gait modifications on acute impact loading, perceived awkwardness and effort is currently unclear. Sixteen habitual rearfoot/midfoot runners performed forefoot strike pattern, increased step rate, anterior trunk lean and self-selected running gait modifications on an instrumented treadmill based on real-time biofeedback. Impact loading, perceived awkwardness and effort scores were compared among the four gait retraining conditions. Self-selected gait modification reduced vertical average loading rate (VALR) by 25.3%, vertical instantaneous loading rate (VILR) by 27.0%, vertical impact peak (VIP) by 16.8% as compared with baseline. Forefoot strike pattern reduced VALR, VILR and peak tibial acceleration. Increased step rate reduced VALR. Anterior trunk lean did not reduce any impact loading. Self-selected gait modification was perceived as less awkward and require less effort than the specifically trained gait modification (

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2021-06-09Sports Biomechanics
https://doi.org/10.1080/14763141.2021.1916576