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Biomechanical factors affecting running economy
H Kyröläinen1, A Belli, P V Komi
1Department of Biology of Physical Activity, University of Jyväskylä, FIN-40100 Jyväskylä, Finland. heikki@maila.jyu.fi
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|July 28, 2001
Summary
Running economy is linked to increased muscle activity and power output, but individual technique variations, like hamstring muscle function, also play a role in energy expenditure at higher speeds.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Science
Background:
- Running economy is a key determinant of endurance performance.
- Understanding the biomechanical factors influencing running economy is crucial for optimizing training and technique.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between running speed, kinematics, kinetics, and muscle activity.
- To identify biomechanical factors contributing to variations in running economy among runners.
Main Methods:
- 17 young endurance runners performed running trials at 12-13 speeds.
- Kinematic data, 3D ground reaction forces (GRF), and electromyography (EMG) of leg muscles were recorded.
- Joint moments and power were calculated using inverse dynamics.
Main Results:
- Oxygen consumption and energy expenditure increased linearly with running speed.
- Interindividual differences in running economy became more pronounced at higher speeds.
- Increased EMG activity in the biceps femoris (BF) muscle correlated with energy expenditure, particularly at maximal running speeds.
Conclusions:
- Increased muscle EMG and power output contribute to higher energy expenditure at faster running speeds.
- Suboptimal running technique, potentially due to limited hamstring muscle function, may explain lower running economy in some athletes.
- No single biomechanical parameter exclusively explains running economy.