Test-retest reliability and minimal detectable change in pelvis and lower limb coordination during running assessed...

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Sports Science
• Movement Analysis

Background:

• Running biomechanics analysis is crucial for understanding movement patterns and injury mechanisms.
• Accurate assessment of lower limb and pelvic coordination is essential for effective interventions.
• Modified Vector Coding (MVC) is a technique used to quantify segmental coordination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the reliability of Modified Vector Coding (MVC) in assessing running coordination and variability.
• To determine the Minimal Detectable Change (MDC) for MVC in running biomechanics.
• To assess the measurement consistency and agreement of MVC for lower limb and pelvic couplings.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-five healthy runners underwent treadmill running biomechanical analysis using a motion capture system.
• Modified Vector Coding (MVC) was applied to analyze 3D coordination of pelvis and lower limb segments.
• Reliability was assessed using Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC), SEM, MDC, and Bland-Altman analysis.

Main Results:

• Good to excellent test-retest reliability (ICC 0.613–0.928) was found for 33 of 42 analyzed segmental couplings.
• Nine couplings, including femur-tibia and foot-tibia, showed poor to moderate reliability.
• Proportional bias was noted in specific couplings, necessitating cautious interpretation.

Conclusions:

• Modified Vector Coding demonstrates robust reliability for most running biomechanics analyses.
• Certain segmental couplings require careful interpretation due to measurement error and potential bias.
• MDC provides valuable insights into the precision of MVC, aiding clinical and research applications in running injuries.