Accelerometery-Based Load Symmetry in Track Running Kinematics concerning Body Location, Track Segment, and Distance in Amateur Runners

Abstract

Background: Previous studies indicate that running at maximum speed on short or curved sections is slower than running on straight sections. This study aimed to analyse the external load symmetry in track running kinematics concerning body location (left vs. right, caudal vs. cephalic), track segment (straight vs. curved) and distance (150 m vs. 300 m). Methods: Twenty experienced athletes ran 150 m and 300 m on an official athletic track and were monitored by Magnetic, Angular Rate and Gravity sensors attached to six different body segments (thorax, lumbar, knees and malleolus). Player Load was quantified as a valid, effective and representative Accelerometery-based variable. Results: (1) Principal component analysis explained 62–93% of the total variance and clustered body locations relevance in curved (knees and malleolus) vs. straight (lumbar, knees, malleolus) running segments; (2) Player Load statistical differences by track segment (curved vs. straight) were found in all body locations; and (3) there were no differences in bilateral symmetries by distance or running segment. Conclusions: Track segment and body location directly impacted accelerometery-based load. Acceleration in straight segments was lower compared to that in curved segments in all the body locations (lumbar, knee and ankle), except in the thorax. Strength and conditioning programs should consider the singularity of curved sprinting (effects of centripetal–centrifugal force) for performance enhancement and injury prevention and focus on the knees and malleolus, as shown in the principal component analysis results.

Is Basketball a Symmetrical Sport?

“…In cyclic sports such as athletics, Antúnez et al [19] found small kinematic asymmetries, which were compensated by the anatomy of the musculoskeletal system in a situation more similar to the competitive environment. Track running, with a straight and a curved segment, can generate an asymmetry, which does not impact an athlete's performance.…”

“…Some authors, such as Dos'Santos et al [14], suggest extending this range in the athlete population to 15% or setting the risk threshold by quartiles in each sporting context. It should be noted that the vast majority of studies on asymmetry in sport have focused on the analysis of individual sports such as taekwondo [16], athletics [17,18] or triathlon [19].…”