Step width alters iliotibial band strain during running

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Sports Medicine
• Orthopedics

Background:

• Iliotibial band (ITB) syndrome is a common overuse injury in runners.
• Understanding biomechanical factors influencing ITB strain is crucial for prevention and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of varying step width on iliotibial band (ITB) strain and strain rate during running.
• To determine if specific step width adjustments can mitigate ITB stress.

Main Methods:

• 15 healthy recreational runners participated in the study.
• Three-dimensional (3D) kinematics and kinetics were recorded during overground running.
• Musculoskeletal modeling estimated ITB strain and strain rate under preferred, narrow, and wide step width conditions.

Main Results:

• Narrower step width significantly increased ITB strain and strain rate compared to preferred and wide conditions.
• A linear relationship was observed between decreasing step width and increasing ITB strain and strain rate.
• ITB strain was highest in the narrowest step width condition.

Conclusions:

• Small reductions in running step width can substantially elevate ITB strain and strain rates.
• Increasing step width, particularly for runners with a narrow stance, may be a beneficial strategy for ITB syndrome prevention and treatment.