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Updated: Apr 16, 2026
Comparative Analysis of Lower Limb Kinematics between the Initial and Terminal Phase of 5km Treadmill Running
Published on: July 17, 2020
Effects of two pre-running training interventions on running kinematics and strength - A randomized controlled trial
Heidi Jarske1, Mari Leppänen1, Janne Avela2
1Tampere Research Center of Sports Medicine, UKK Institute, Tampere, Finland; Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.
Background:
This study investigated whether two different training interventions focusing on strength and neuromuscular control of the hip and core or the ankle and foot changed running kinematics and strength.
Methods:
Novice recreational runners were randomized to one of three groups: a Hip and Core intervention, an Ankle and Foot intervention, or a control program involving static stretching. A total of 178 runners (131 female, 47 male) were included in this analysis. Over-ground 3-dimentional running kinematics, ground reaction forces and isokinetic lower limb strength of the hip, knee and ankle joints were measured before and after a 6-month intervention period. Intervention exercises were done before an identical running program.
Results:
Results show no between group differences in strength after the intervention period. Increases in ankle plantarflexion, dorsiflexion, and inversion muscle strength were reported within groups which were likely caused by the identical running program. No within group differences were found in knee or hip strength. Regarding kinematics, small decreases were found in hip internal rotation peak angle (-1.5°) and angle at toe off (-1.7°) in addition to an increase in hip external rotation peak angle (1.3°) in the hip and core group compared to the ankle and foot group. Within the hip and core group, kinematic changes were associated with an increase in hip abduction and knee extensor strength. Associations indicate that an increase of 25-50% in strength is needed to produce a 2-degree change in kinematics.
Conclusions:
Although statistically significant changes in kinematics were found, the magnitude of these changes (< 2 °) and the calculated percentage strength change necessary to impact running kinematics reveal a small to negligent effect. Thus, training interventions including hip and core or ankle and foot exercises did not reveal clinically meaningful changes in running kinematics or strength.
