Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 3, 2025
Comparative Analysis of Lower Limb Kinematics between the Initial and Terminal Phase of 5km Treadmill Running
Published on: July 17, 2020
Prospective running assessments among division I cross-country athletes
Alexandra F DeJong Lempke1, Joseph M Hart2, David J Hryvniak3
1Boston Children's Hospital, Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedics, Boston, MA, USA; University of Virginia School of Education Department of Kinesiology, Exercise and Sport Injury Lab, 210 Emmet Street South, Charlottesville, VA, USA, 22904.
Objectives:
To prospectively monitor biomechanics, session-rating of perceived exertion (sRPE), and wellness in a cohort of collegiate Division-1 cross-country athletes over the course of a single competitive season.
Design:
Prospective cohort study.
Methods:
Healthy Division-1 cross-country athletes (9 males, 13 females) were prospectively followed over a single competitive cross-country season. Wearable sensors were used to collect biomechanics twice per week, along with surveys to assess sRPE and wellness. Mixed model linear regressions were used to assess the relationship among biomechanical measures to sRPE, and to wellness z-scores.
Results:
Stride length, contact time, impact g, pace, weekly mileage, and running a meet in the day prior to the recorded run explained 25.4% of the variance in sRPE scores across the season (R2 = 0.254, p < 0.001). Contact time and braking g helped explain 3.7% of the variance in wellness (R2 = 0.037, F = 5.70, p = 0.01).
Conclusions:
There were several identified associations between gait biomechanics and sRPE, yet minimal associations with wellness measures. These findings suggest there are movement adaptations associated with perceived running intensity, however biomechanical measures alone do not lend additional insight into wellness measures.
