Effects of Wearable Devices with Biofeedback on Biomechanical Performance of Running—A Systematic Review

Abstract

This present review includes a systematic search for peer-reviewed articles published between March 2009 and March 2020 that evaluated the effects of wearable devices with biofeedback on the biomechanics of running. The included articles did not focus on physiological and metabolic metrics. Articles with patients, animals, orthoses, exoskeletons and virtual reality were not included. Following the PRISMA guidelines, 417 articles were first identified, and nineteen were selected following the removal of duplicates and articles which did not meet the inclusion criteria. Most reviewed articles reported a significant reduction in positive peak acceleration, which was found to be related to tibial stress fractures in running. Some previous studies provided biofeedback aiming to increase stride frequencies. They produced some positive effects on running, as they reduced vertical load in knee and ankle joints and vertical displacement of the body and increased knee flexion. Some other parameters, including contact ground time and speed, were fed back by wearable devices for running. Such devices reduced running time and increased swing phase time. This article reviews challenges in this area and suggests future studies can evaluate the long-term effects in running biomechanics produced by wearable devices with biofeedback.

Evidence for the Effectiveness of Feedback from Wearable Inertial Sensors during Work-Related Activities: A Scoping Review

“…Another found that feedback from a computer mouse caused workers to modify their postures, which resulted in the reduction of neck and/or shoulder WMSD in workers [ 147 ]. In the majority of reviews, the authors appeal for higher-quality studies investigating WIST feedback [ 44 , 146 , 148 ]. Thus, improving the quality of future studies may enable the greater utility of WIST in rehabilitation, clinical and workplace settings.…”

“…In other sectors of health research, the retention of learned movement behaviour from WIST was shown for arm-hand movement in stroke rehabilitation [ 43 , 150 ] and lower limb running biomechanics [ 44 ]. Previous research on the retention of skills following feedback has indicated that a fading schedule of feedback is most effective for motor-relearning and for learned skills to be retained, suggesting that gradually reducing the dependence on external feedback improved the intrinsic feedback mechanisms and subsequent motor re-learning to occur [ 44 , 132 , 151 ]. Though, the retention of skills following feedback is seldom evaluated [ 146 ]; hence, further post-evaluation research is required.…”

“…This review identified no study that applied feedback fading or self-controlled frequency schedules to reduce an individual's dependence on feedback within a given task [131,141] Our review findings are consistent with other recent reviews that have identified that feedback from WIST can be effective. However, the majority of reviews focused on the use of WIST feedback in sporting applications, balance or stroke [44,145,146]. Wang, Markopoulos [43] reviewed 45 studies using WIST for rehabilitation and found only three studies that reported the clinical effects of WIST feedback, primarily in populations with stroke.…”

“…Therefore, wherever practical, the inertial sensor(s) should be validated using a gold standard (e.g., a mocap system) prior to their specific usage and environment [ 30 , 42 ]. Validation is paramount for the translation of sensor technology into clinical and rehabilitation settings [ 42 , 43 , 44 ].…”

How Are Sports-Trackers Used by Runners? Running-Related Data, Personal Goals, and Self-Tracking in Running

“…The available data, in a broad sense, makes sports technology a helpful and effective companion in improving performance and physical condition [ 7 ], enhancing motivation [ 8 ] and preventing injuries [ 9 , 10 ]. There has been a recent focus on measuring and improving running technique through technology, as technique is an essential determinant of running performance and running-related injuries [ 3 ].…”