Quantifying coordination and coordination variability in backward versus forward running: Implications for control of...

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Motor Control
• Human Locomotion

Background:

• Understanding the biomechanics of human locomotion is crucial for fields like sports science and rehabilitation.
• Forward and backward running represent distinct motor tasks with potentially different neuromuscular control strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare coordination and coordination variability between forward and backward running.
• To investigate the influence of running speed on coordination variability in both running directions.

Main Methods:

• Fifteen healthy males ran on a treadmill at varying speeds (80%, 100%, 120% of preferred).
• Motion capture recorded marker data to analyze coordination using continuous relative phase.
• Coordination variability was quantified via standard deviation, and pattern similarity using cross-correlation.

Main Results:

• Backward running gait coordination was a temporal reversal of forward running gait coordination across all speeds.
• An average 11% phase shift was observed between forward and backward running coordination patterns.
• Backward running demonstrated significantly higher coordination variability than forward running, irrespective of speed.

Conclusions:

• The findings suggest that the same neural circuitry underlies both forward and backward running gaits.
• Backward running involves greater degrees of freedom and more complex motor control compared to forward running.
• Running speed does not appear to influence coordination variability in either forward or backward running.