Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2025
Comparative Analysis of Lower Limb Kinematics between the Initial and Terminal Phase of 5km Treadmill Running
Published on: July 17, 2020
Association between running biomechanics and lower limb musculotendinous changes over an adolescent marathon training
Alexandra F DeJong Lempke1, Danielle L Hunt2, Sarah B Willwerth3
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; Institute for Women's Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States.
Background:
Prospective musculotendinous changes have been observed among adolescents completing marathon training programs. However, examinations of potential factors influencing musculotendinous characteristics do not currently exist. Evaluations of biomechanical parameters and the influence on musculotendinous features and changes over time are warranted.
Research Question:
What are the relationships between adolescent running biomechanics and 1) lower extremity musculotendinous characteristics cross-sectionally, and 2) changes in musculotendinous properties over 6-months?
Methods:
Thirty-three adolescent runners participated in this study (19 F, 14 M; 15.8 ± 1.6 years). Ultrasound images of lower extremity musculotendinous structures were obtained to determine thickness and echogenicity. Following ultrasound measures, outdoor running biomechanics were assessed using wearable sensors to collect spatiotemporal, kinetic, and kinematic measures. A subset of participants had repeat ultrasound evaluations following a 6-month running program (n = 11; 6 F, 5 M). Hierarchical linear models were used to assess the relationships between biomechanics and ultrasound measures. Pearson's correlations were used to assess the relationship between biomechanics the change in musculotendinous characteristics (baseline to 6-months).
Results:
The strongest relationships between measures were for the Achilles tendon (R2=0.39, F=0.85, p = 0.10), and flexor digitorum brevis (R2=0.38, F=2.38, p = 0.06). The interaction between pronation excursion and velocity was a significant predictor for Achilles tendon thickness (p = 0.03), and medial gastrocnemius thickness (p = 0.05). Contact time was a significant predictor for intrinsic foot muscle thickness (p = 0.01). There were moderate correlations across biomechanical measures and changes in musculotendinous thickness and echogenicity.
Significance:
Biomechanical characteristics often noted with running-related injuries were moderately related to tissue-level characteristics, and changes during running training.
