Interaction Effects of Stride Angle and Strike Pattern on Running Economy

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between stride angle and running economy (RE) in athletes with different foot strike patterns. 30 male runners completed 4 min running stages on a treadmill at different velocities. During the test, biomechanical variables such as stride angle, swing time, contact time, stride length and frequency were recorded using an optical measurement system. Their foot strike pattern was determined, and VO2 at velocities below the lactate threshold were measured to calculate RE. Midfoot/forefoot strikers had better RE than rearfoot strikers (201.5±5.6 ml · kg(-1) · km(-1) vs. 213.5±4.2 ml · kg(-1) · km(-1)respectively; p=0.019). Additionally, midfoot/fore-foot strikers presented higher stride angles than rearfoot strikers (p=0.043). Linear modelling analysis showed that stride angle is closely related to RE (r=0.62, p<0.001) and that the effect of stride angle on RE was different in the 2 groups. From an arbitrary value of 4°, a rearfoot strike pattern is likely to be more economical, whereas at any lower degree, the midfoot/forefoot strike pattern appears to be more desirable. A biomechanical running technique characterised by high stride angles and a midfoot/forefoot strike pattern is advantageous for a better RE. Athletes may find stride angle useful for improving RE.

Effect on Oxygen Cost of Transport from 8-Weeks of Progressive Training with Barefoot Running

“…The sagittal plane ankle angle can be interpreted as an index of foot strike pattern, where greater than 10 degrees indicates a highly likely heel strike [32]. Although our findings are in agreement with previous research reporting no differences in COT between differing strike patterns when habitual forefoot and rearfoot strikers also run in their non-preferred strike pattern [9], other studies have suggested that habitual rearfoot strikers [17,20] or even habitual forefoot strikers [24] are more economical. This study found improved COT without significant changes in sagittal plane ankle angle and no association between the changes in these variables.…”

Accuracy of PARTwear Inertial Sensor and Optojump Optical Measurement System for Measuring Ground Contact Time During Running

“…It has been demonstrated that runners with shorter GCT were not only faster but also more energy efficient than runners with longer GCT (27,34). Kong and colleagues (23) argued that shorter GCT might be related to good running economy because there is less time for the braking force to decelerate forward motion of the body.…”

Running Technique is an Important Component of Running Economy and Performance

“…Investigations into the relationship between RE and technique have typically been small cohort studies ( n < 25 [45,47]) of relatively homogeneous groups of runners (37,38,45), limited kinematic measurements and methods (e.g., stride parameters [16,37,38]), or measurements of RE and kinematics at different speeds or under different conditions (34,47). Consequently, the overall relationship between specific kinematic variables and RE and performance remains opaque, such that a recent review of strategies to improve RE provided no recommendations with regard to running technique (5).…”

“…The configuration of the lower limb at touchdown might also be expected to be a critical aspect of running technique (8). This includes the relatively simplistic classification of footstrike type (16,37), which can be more precisely measured as foot angle at touchdown, as well as the angles of the shank and thigh. Since RE has been suggested to relate to the stiffness of the stance leg (15), and motion of the swinging leg may contribute ~20% to the cost of locomotion (30), the minimum knee joint angles during stance and swing phases might also be key variables.…”