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Comparative Analysis of Lower Limb Kinematics between the Initial and Terminal Phase of 5km Treadmill Running
Published on: July 17, 2020
Side-to-side differences in overuse running injury susceptibility: a retrospective study
Rebecca Avrin Zifchock1, Irene Davis, Jill Higginson
1Leon Root, MD Motion Analysis Laboratory, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY 10021, United States. zifchockr@hss.edu
Human Movement Science
|July 22, 2008
Summary
Running injuries may stem from bilateral factors, not just the injured side. This study found elevated hip internal rotation and arch height deviations in injured runners, suggesting a systemic issue.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Sports Medicine
- Running Injury Research
Background:
- Overuse running injuries are common, but the specific factors leading to injury on one side remain unclear.
- Previous research often compared injured limbs to healthy controls, overlooking bilateral influences.
- Emerging evidence suggests that characteristics on both sides of a runner may contribute to injury risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between bilateral strength, structural, kinetic, and kinematic factors and overuse running injuries.
- To compare these factors between the injured and uninjured limbs of unilaterally injured runners.
- To assess asymmetry levels in injured versus uninjured runners and compare bilateral values.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of strength, structural, kinetic, and kinematic factors between injured and uninjured limbs in unilaterally injured runners.
- Analysis of asymmetry in these factors between injured runners and a control group of never-injured runners.
- Evaluation of bilateral factor values in injured runners compared to uninjured controls.
Main Results:
- Hip internal rotation range of motion and peak tibial acceleration were higher on the injured side.
- Asymmetry levels did not differ significantly between injured and uninjured groups, indicating normal asymmetry.
- Injured runners showed bilaterally elevated hip internal rotation and arch height index deviations.
Conclusions:
- Overuse running injury risk may be associated with bilateral characteristics, not solely unilateral deficits.
- Hip range of motion and foot structure (arch height) are potential bilateral risk factors.
- Further research into bilateral biomechanics is warranted for a comprehensive understanding of running injury prevention.
