Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 12, 2026
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Comparative Analysis of Lower Limb Kinematics between the Initial and Terminal Phase of 5km Treadmill Running
Published on: July 17, 2020
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Runners with lower dynamic stability exhibit better running economy
Carlo von Diecken1,2, Marlene Riedl3,4, Steffen Willwacher5
1Department of Engineering and Industrial Design, Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences, 39114, Magdeburg, Germany. carlo.vondiecken@hs-offenburg.de.
Scientific Reports
|November 1, 2025
Summary
Runners with less whole-body dynamic stability (WDS) demonstrate better running economy (RE). This study found a negative association between WDS and energy cost, suggesting WDS may be a novel target for improving RE.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Human Movement Science
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Dynamic stability during running has an energetic cost unrelated to forward propulsion.
- Its role in influencing running economy remains under-explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between whole-body dynamic stability and running economy.
- To determine if running speed affects dynamic stability.
Main Methods:
- Nineteen trained runners ran on a treadmill at three individualized speeds.
- Whole-body dynamic stability was quantified using the maximum Lyapunov exponent (MLE) from 3D angular velocities of seven body segments.
- Running economy was measured as cost of transport (COT) via metabolic gas-exchange data.
Main Results:
- A significant negative association was found between MLE and COT (p=0.049), indicating lower dynamic stability correlates with better running economy.
- Running speed did not significantly affect MLE (p>0.579).
Conclusions:
- This is the first study to show a negative association between a multivariate measure of dynamic stability (MLE) and running economy (COT).
- Runners with poorer dynamic stability may be more economical.
- Dynamic stability, measured by MLE, is robust across different running speeds.
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