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Managing lower extremity loading in distance running by altering sagittal plane trunk leaning
(2024)
Background
Trunk lean angle is an underrepresented biomechanical variable for modulating and redistributing lower extremity joint loading and potentially reducing the risk of running-related overuse injuries. The purpose of this study was to systematically alter the trunk lean angle in distance running using an auditory real-time feedback approach and to derive dose–response relationships between sagittal plane trunk lean angle and lower extremity (cumulative) joint loading to guide overuse load management in clinical practice.
Methods
Thirty recreational runners (15 males and 15 females) ran at a constant speed of 2.5 m/s at 5 systematically varied trunk lean conditions on a force-instrumented treadmill while kinematic and kinetic data were captured.
Results
A change in trunk lean angle from –2° (extension) to 28° (flexion) resulted in a systematic increase in stance phase angular impulse, cumulative impulse, and peak moment at the hip joint in the sagittal and transversal plane. In contrast, a systematic decrease in these parameters at the knee joint in the sagittal plane and the hip joint in the frontal plane was found (p < 0.001). Linear fitting revealed that with every degree of anterior trunk leaning, the cumulative hip joint extension loading increases by 3.26 Nm·s/kg/1000 m, while simultaneously decreasing knee joint extension loading by 1.08 Nm·s/kg/1000 m.
Conclusion
Trunk leaning can reduce knee joint loading and hip joint abduction loading, at the cost of hip joint loading in the sagittal and transversal planes during distance running. Modulating lower extremity joint loading by altering trunk lean angle is an effective strategy to redistribute joint load between/within the knee and hip joints. When implementing anterior trunk leaning in clinical practice, the increased demands on the hip musculature, dynamic stability, and the potential trade-off with running economy should be considered.
The study aimed to establish dose-response relationships between systematically altered anterior trunk leaning (ATL) and lower extremity cumulative joint loading (angular impulse x number of strides) as well as cost of transport (COT) in distance running. Twenty-eight recreational runners underwent a series of six treadmill runs (2.5 m/s) with five predefined ATL conditions (from -4° extension to 28° flexion) and one self-selected ATL condition for five minutes with 3D motion capture and spirometry. Increasing ATL systematically decreased cumulative knee joint loading and increased cumulative hip joint loading in all conditions. However, running outside the preferred running style increased COT. Designing ATL-based overuse load management interventions shows promise, but clinical implementation requires careful consideration of the COT and joint loading trade-offs.
We investigated the trade-off between metabolic cost and dynamic stability in 15 recreational runners who experienced sudden slip-like anteroposterior perturbations (SLAPs) during treadmill running (2.5 m/s). Following SLAPs, a significant 3.4% increase in the cost of transport was observed. However, there were no significant changes in single gait parameters or lower limb kinematics in the sagittal plane. Future investigations should explore the underlying neuromuscular mechanisms and broader functional biomechanical variables. Overall, we show that human motor control prioritizes dynamic stability more when expecting SLAPs compared to non-expecting them, highlighting a potential trade-off between metabolic efficiency and traumatic injury prevention that warrants further exploration of underlying mechanisms.
This study aimed to identify the impact of different forefoot cushioning properties in “advanced spiked footwear” on sprinting performance during the block start. Kinetic parameters were collected for twenty-three competitive sprinters during a block sprint start in two advanced spike conditions with only a difference in forefoot cushioning stiffness. An instrumented start block was used to measure the ground reaction forces applied in the front and rear leg. The stiffer shoe condition showed significantly better performance for most parameters, suggesting a softer midsole in forefoot cushioning is not related to better block start performance. This study has demonstrated that differences in midsole materials can alter sprinting block performance and should be considered when analysing advanced spikes features, especially across different shoe brands and their cushioning technologies.