Increased stride-rate in runners following an independent retraining program: A randomized controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Biomechanics
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Increasing running stride rate is a strategy for injury prevention and rehabilitation.
• Limited evidence exists on the efficacy of independent training programs for altering stride rate.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if a 6-week independent training program can increase recreational runners' preferred stride rate by 5%-10%.
• To assess the feasibility of home-based gait retraining for runners.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-eight recreational runners with a stride rate ≤85 strides/min were randomized into experimental and control groups.
• The experimental group used a watch and foot pod for real-time stride rate feedback, aiming for a 10% increase.
• The control group maintained their normal running routine for 6 weeks.

Main Results:

• The experimental group achieved a significant 8.6% increase in stride rate (from 79.9 to 86.8 strides/min).
• No significant change in stride rate was observed in the control group.
• Baseline stride rates did not differ significantly between groups.

Conclusions:

• A 6-week home training program utilizing wearable technology can effectively increase preferred running stride rate in runners.
• This approach is suitable for runners with stride rates of 85 strides/min or less.
• Clinicians can consider this gait retraining method for injury prevention and rehabilitation programs in recreational runners.