Fatigue related changes in rearfoot eversion: a means of functionally grouping runners?
1Sport and Physical Activity, Edge Hill University, Lancashire, UK.
European Journal of Sport Science
|April 8, 2022
Summary
Fatigue impacts rearfoot motion differently in runners. This study shows changes in rearfoot eversion after running can group runners, potentially informing injury risk and training needs.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Sports Science
- Running Dynamics
Background:
- Fatigue alters running kinematics individually.
- Rearfoot kinematics may provide a basis for functional runner grouping.
- Understanding fatigue effects is crucial for injury prevention and performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if fatigue-induced changes in rearfoot eversion can functionally group runners.
- To establish a proof of concept for using kinematic changes to categorize runners.
Main Methods:
- Sixteen male recreational runners underwent 3D motion capture before and after a 5km run.
- Frontal plane rearfoot kinematics were analyzed.
- K-means clustering identified groups based on pre- to post-fatigue kinematic changes.
Main Results:
- Two distinct functional groups emerged.
- Cluster 1 (9 runners) showed minimal, non-significant changes in rearfoot motion.
- Cluster 2 (7 runners) exhibited significant increases in rearfoot eversion during stance phase post-fatigue.
Conclusions:
- Fatigue-related changes in rearfoot eversion effectively group runners.
- The identified groups differ in their ability to maintain habitual movement pathways under fatigue.
- These kinematic differences may influence injury risk, training, and footwear recommendations.
