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Comparative Analysis of Lower Limb Kinematics between the Initial and Terminal Phase of 5km Treadmill Running
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Acute kinematics changes in marathon runners using different footwear.
Tania Socorro Amorim Soares1, Camila Fonseca de Oliveira1, Federico Pizzuto1
1a Center of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport, Faculty of Sport , University of Porto , Porto , Portugal.
Journal of Sports Sciences
|June 23, 2017
Summary
Highly trained marathon runners alter their running biomechanics when switching to barefoot or minimalist shoes. Minimalist shoes demonstrated intermediate effects between shod and barefoot running, impacting injury prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Sports Medicine
- Running Science
Background:
- The impact of footwear on running biomechanics and injury prevention is debated.
- Existing research on shod vs. barefoot running yields inconsistent findings.
- Further investigation into biomechanical loads in different footwear conditions is warranted.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine acute kinematic alterations in habitually shod marathon runners when transitioning to barefoot or minimalist shoe conditions.
- To compare kinematic adaptations between barefoot running and running in minimalist shoes.
- To understand the biomechanical load differences associated with various footwear conditions.
Main Methods:
- Twelve male marathon runners participated, running at their typical marathon pace on a treadmill.
- Kinematic data were collected using high-resolution infrared cameras and Visual 3D software.
- Key parameters analyzed included foot strike angle, cycle time, stance time, stride length, and joint angular positions/ranges of motion (hip, knee, ankle).
Main Results:
- Contrary to expectations, habitually shod elite marathon runners significantly altered their lower limb kinematics in both barefoot and minimalist shoe conditions.
- Minimalist shoes exhibited a trend towards intermediate biomechanical effects compared to habitual shoes and barefoot running.
- Specific kinematic parameters like foot strike and joint motion changed across conditions.
Conclusions:
- Habitually shod elite marathon runners demonstrate notable kinematic adaptations when running barefoot or in minimalist footwear.
- Minimalist shoes may offer a transitional biomechanical state between traditional shoes and barefoot running.
- These findings suggest that footwear choice significantly influences running biomechanics, even in highly trained athletes.
