Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 11, 2026
Movement Retraining using Real-time Feedback of Performance
Published on: January 17, 2013
Retraining running gait to reduce tibial loads with clinician or accelerometry guided feedback
Mark W Creaby1, Melinda M Franettovich Smith2
1School of Exercise Science, Australian Catholic University, Australia.
Objectives:
Reducing tibial acceleration through gait retraining is thought to reduce the risk of stress fracture development, however current approaches require the use of advanced accelerometry equipment not readily available in the clinical setting. The aim was to compare the effect of clinician guided feedback with accelerometry guided feedback on peak tibial accelerations during running.
Design:
Repeated measures randomised design.
Methods:
Twenty-two healthy male runners were randomised to receive either tibial accelerometry or clinician guided feedback. Peak tibial accelerations were obtained for all participants (i) prior to intervention, (ii) after 10min of feedback, (iii) after a further 10min without feedback, and (iv) 1 week later.
Results:
Across groups, significant reductions in peak tibial acceleration were observed from baseline to each of the subsequent time points in the order of 19-29% (p=0.001). No between-group differences in peak tibial acceleration were observed at any of the follow-up time points (p=0.434).
Conclusions:
These data indicate that in the short term the low cost, low technology, clinician guided approach to retraining running gait may be equally as effective as the more expensive accelerometry guided solution in reducing peak tibial accelerations. Longer term follow-up is required to evaluate the efficacy of both approaches in reducing the risk of stress fracture development.
