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The 'Ride' Feeling during Running under Field Conditions-Objectified with a Single Inertial Measurement Unit
Sabrina Bräuer1, Pierre Kiesewetter1, Thomas L Milani1
1Department of Human Locomotion, Chemnitz University of Technology, 09126 Chemnitz, Germany.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|August 10, 2021
Summary
Researchers used inertial measurement units (IMUs) to study running dynamics outdoors. They found that midsole bending stiffness significantly impacts the perceived
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Sports Science
- Wearable Technology
Background:
- Investigating foot rollover and running 'ride' perception is typically confined to laboratory settings due to complex measurement requirements.
- Existing methods for analyzing heel-toe transition lack real-world applicability.
- There is a need for accessible, field-based methods to study running dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the use of a heel cap-mounted inertial measurement unit (IMU) for assessing running 'ride' and rollover under field conditions.
- To determine the influence of midsole bending stiffness on running mechanics and subjective perception.
- To establish a low-cost, practical method for analyzing the heel-toe transition during outdoor running.
Main Methods:
- Twenty athletes ran on a 1 km outdoor track, testing five shoe conditions with varying midsole bending stiffness.
- Peak angular velocity (PAV) in the sagittal plane was measured using an IMU.
- Subjective 'ride' perception was assessed using a visual analogue scale.
Main Results:
- Peak angular velocity (PAV) and subjective 'ride' ratings differed across shoe conditions.
- PAV significantly correlated with the perceived 'ride' rating (R² = 0.952, p = 0.005).
- The shoe with medium midsole bending stiffness exhibited the lowest PAV and highest 'ride' rating.
Conclusions:
- Inertial measurement units (IMUs) provide a viable, low-cost solution for studying running heel-toe transitions in field settings.
- Midsole bending stiffness is a key factor influencing both the biomechanics (PAV) and subjective experience of running.
- Optimizing midsole bending stiffness can enhance the running 'ride' perception.
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