Nicholas Tam1,2, Ross Tucker3, Jordan Santos-Concejero4, Danielle Prins1, Robert P Lamberts1,5. 1. 1 Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa. 2. 2 Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain. 3. 3 World Rugby, Dublin, Ireland. 4. 4 Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Education and Sport, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. 5. 5 Institute of Sport and Exercise Medicine, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa.
Abstract
It is debated whether running biomechanics make good predictors of running economy, with little known information about the neuromuscular and joint stiffness contributions to economical running gait. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to understand the relationship between certain neuromuscular and spatiotemporal biomechanical factors associated with running economy. METHODS: Thirty trained runners performed a 6-minute constant-speed running set at 3.3 m∙s-1, where oxygen consumption was assessed. Overground running trials were also performed at 3.3 m∙s-1 to assess kinematics, kinetics and muscle activity. Spatiotemporal gait variables, joint stiffness, pre-activation and stance phase muscle activity (gluteus medius; rectus femoris (RF); biceps femoris(BF); peroneus longus (PL); tibialis anterior (TA); gastrocnemius lateralis and medius (LG and MG) were variables of specific interest and thus determined. Additionally, pre-activation and ground contact of agonist:antagonist co-activation were calculated. RESULTS: More economical runners presented with short ground contact times (r=0.639, p<0.001) and greater strides frequencies (r=-0.630, p<0.001). Lower ankle and greater knee stiffness were associated with lower oxygen consumption (r=0.527, p=0.007 & r=0.384, p=0.043, respectively). Only LG:TA co-activation during stance were associated with lower oxygen cost of transport (r=0.672, p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Greater muscle pre-activation and bi-articular muscle activity during stance were associated with more economical runners. Consequently, trained runners who exhibit greater neuromuscular activation prior to and during ground contact, in turn optimise spatiotemporal variables and joint stiffness, will be the most economical runners.
It is debated whether running biomechanics make good predictors of running economy, with little known information about the neuromuscular and joint stiffness contributions to economical running gait. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to understand the relationship between certain neuromuscular and spatiotemporal biomechanical factors associated with running economy. METHODS: Thirty trained runners performed a 6-minute constant-speed running set at 3.3 m∙s-1, where oxygen consumption was assessed. Overground running trials were also performed at 3.3 m∙s-1 to assess kinematics, kinetics and muscle activity. Spatiotemporal gait variables, joint stiffness, pre-activation and stance phase muscle activity (gluteus medius; rectus femoris (RF); biceps femoris(BF); peroneus longus (PL); tibialis anterior (TA); gastrocnemius lateralis and medius (LG and MG) were variables of specific interest and thus determined. Additionally, pre-activation and ground contact of agonist:antagonist co-activation were calculated. RESULTS: More economical runners presented with short ground contact times (r=0.639, p<0.001) and greater strides frequencies (r=-0.630, p<0.001). Lower ankle and greater knee stiffness were associated with lower oxygen consumption (r=0.527, p=0.007 & r=0.384, p=0.043, respectively). Only LG:TA co-activation during stance were associated with lower oxygen cost of transport (r=0.672, p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Greater muscle pre-activation and bi-articular muscle activity during stance were associated with more economical runners. Consequently, trained runners who exhibit greater neuromuscular activation prior to and during ground contact, in turn optimise spatiotemporal variables and joint stiffness, will be the most economical runners.
Entities:
Keywords:
electromyography; gait; oxygen cost of transport; running performance
Authors: Rubén Sánchez-Gómez; Ricardo Becerro-de-Bengoa-Vallejo; Carlos Romero Morales; Marta Elena Losa-Iglesias; Aitor Castrillo de la Fuente; Daniel López-López; Ignacio Díez Vega; César Calvo-Lobo Journal: Orthop J Sports Med Date: 2020-10-16
Authors: Siddhartha Bikram Panday; Prabhat Pathak; Jeheon Moon; Dohoon Koo Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-08-05 Impact factor: 4.614