Free moment patterns, transversal plane joint loading and injury risk in running

Abstract

IntroductionThe free moment (FM) of ground reaction is applied by runners to the ground in order to control whole body angular momentum in the transversal plane of movement. The FM is a dominant component of lower extremity transversal plane loading and has been related to torsional deformation of the tibia (Yang et al., 2014) and tibial stress fractures (Milner et al., 2006) in runners. Furthermore, FM amplitudes might affect transversal plane joint moments (TPJMs) of lower extremity joints and could be related to torsion-related running injuries. Considerably, large inter-subject variability was found in FM application (Willwacher, Fischer, Hamill, Rohr, & Brueggemann, 2013). The relationship between FM patterns, transversal plane joint loading and injury risk in runners is not known, yet.

Modulation of leg joint function to produce emulated acceleration during walking and running in humans

“…How the musculoskeletal system achieves this has been studied extensively (for good reviews see [1–4]). Contemporary applications of this research include: increasing understanding of neuromuscular disorders [5,6], probing musculoskeletal injury mechanisms [7,8] and providing bio-inspiration for robotic, prosthetic and wearable assistive technologies [9–14]. It is clear that we need to understand how the human musculoskeletal system generates work for movement, but to date most research has focused on the special case of constant-speed locomotion on level ground (steady-state).…”

“…Published by the Royal Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/, which permits unrestricted use, provided the original author and source are credited. probing musculoskeletal injury mechanisms [7,8] and providing bio-inspiration for robotic, prosthetic and wearable assistive technologies [9][10][11][12][13][14]. It is clear that we need to understand how the human musculoskeletal system generates work for movement, but to date most research has focused on the special case of constant-speed locomotion on level ground (steady-state).…”

Effect of Prolonged Running-induced Fatigue on Free-torque Components

“…The tibial crest twists while running because of the FT acting between the foot and the ground. The FT is generated by the movements of the runner on the ground in order to regulate the angular momentum of the body in the horizontal plane (Willwacher et al, 2015). This FT is transferred as a twisting load on the tibia and therefore acts as a risk factor that can cause pain and injury (Milner et al, 2006;Willwacher et al, 2015).…”

“…The FT is generated by the movements of the runner on the ground in order to regulate the angular momentum of the body in the horizontal plane (Willwacher et al, 2015). This FT is transferred as a twisting load on the tibia and therefore acts as a risk factor that can cause pain and injury (Milner et al, 2006;Willwacher et al, 2015). The tibia is the bone that is most easily exposed to stress fractures during running and accounts for 35~56% of all stress injuries (Romani et al, 2002).…”