Soft Tissue Vibrations in Running: A Narrative Review

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Human Physiology
• Sports Science

Background:

• Running generates repetitive soft tissue vibrations (STV) from impacts.
• STV are implicated in musculoskeletal harm and running gait alterations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the literature on STV during running: causes, quantification, and influencing factors.
• To highlight current methods for STV measurement and their limitations.
• To summarize factors affecting STV and suggest future research directions.

Main Methods:

• Narrative literature review.
• Analysis of parameters used for quantifying STV.
• Synthesis of factors influencing STV, including sports gear and fatigue.

Main Results:

• STV quantification requires both amplitude and time-frequency analysis for neuromuscular insights.
• Compression apparel effectively reduces STV; footwear effects are variable and individual.
• Fatigue increases STV amplitude, necessitating further research on prolonged exercise and neuromuscular fatigue.

Conclusions:

• Understanding individual responses to STV, especially under fatigue, is crucial for characterizing neuromuscular adaptations.
• Personalized footwear strategies, like functional grouping, may optimize STV management.
• Further research should integrate STV measurement with neuromuscular fatigue evaluation in running.