Exploring running styles in the field through cadence and duty factor modulation

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Sports Science
• Motor Learning

Background:

• Running styles are defined by cadence and duty factor, influencing performance, economy, and injury risk.
• Effective instructions for modulating these variables are established for treadmills but not for overground running.
• Overground running allows for speed variation, necessitating tailored guidance for running style modification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effectiveness of acoustic and verbal instructions for modulating running cadence and duty factor during overground running.
• To assess the impact of combined instructions on running style modulation and associated variables like speed.
• To evaluate user experience with guided-exploration training for running style adaptation.

Main Methods:

• Five participants underwent four weeks of field training with audio-guided instructions.
• Acoustic pacing targeted cadence, verbal instructions targeted duty factor, and combined instructions targeted running style.
• Running data were collected using sports watches, and user experience was assessed via questionnaire.

Main Results:

• Acoustic pacing effectively modulated cadence, and verbal instructions modulated duty factor, with some co-varying effects on speed and the non-targeted variable.
• Combining acoustic pacing and verbal instructions significantly mitigated co-varying effects, enabling targeted running style adjustments.
• Participants showed a tendency towards increased cadence and increased duty factor styles.
• User experience was generally positive, with suggestions for improved autonomy.

Conclusions:

• Combined acoustic pacing and verbal instructions are effective for modulating running style during overground running.
• This guided-exploration approach facilitates targeted adjustments in cadence and duty factor.
• The method offers a promising avenue for runners to explore and adapt their running styles.