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Updated: Jun 6, 2026
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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
Effect of running speed on lower limb joint kinetics
Anthony G Schache1, Peter D Blanch, Tim W Dorn
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. anthonys@unimelb.edu.au
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|December 7, 2010
Summary
Running faster significantly increases the biomechanical load on hip extensor and knee flexor muscles during terminal swing. Knee joint work during stance remains unchanged, while ankle work plateaus at higher speeds.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Human Movement Science
- Sports Science
Background:
- Understanding lower limb muscle function across running speeds is crucial for optimizing athletic performance.
- Identifying injury risk factors requires knowledge of biomechanical responses to varying running velocities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of different running speeds on lower limb joint kinetics.
- To analyze how torques, powers, and work at the hip, knee, and ankle change with increased running velocity.
Main Methods:
- Collected kinematic and ground reaction force data from eight participants at four distinct running speeds (3.50–8.95 m/s).
- Employed inverse-dynamics to calculate 3D torques, net powers, and work at the hip, knee, and ankle joints.
- Statistically analyzed 33 variables for significant effects of running speed.
Main Results:
- Running speed significantly influenced lower limb joint torques, powers, and work across all anatomical planes.
- Hip and knee joint torques, powers, and work during terminal swing showed the greatest increase with faster running.
- Ankle joint work during stance increased up to 5.02 m/s before plateauing; knee joint work during stance was unaffected by speed.
Conclusions:
- Hip extensor and knee flexor muscles experience the most substantial rise in biomechanical load during terminal swing as running speed increases.
- These findings highlight specific muscle groups and phases of the running gait that are most affected by increased velocity.
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