Posture-induced modulation of lower-limb joint powers in perturbed running

Abstract

Despite evidence on trunk flexion’s impact on locomotion mechanics, its role in modulating lower-limb energetics during perturbed running remains underexplored. Therefore, we investigated posture-induced power redistribution in the lower-limb joints (hip, knee, and ankle), along with the relative contribution from each joint to total lower-limb average positive and negative mechanical powers (i.e., over time) during perturbed running. Twelve runners (50% female) ran at self-selected (~15°) and three more sagittal trunk inclinations (backward, ~0°; low forward, ~20°; high forward, ~25°) on a custom-built runway, incorporating both a level surface and a 10 cm visible drop-step positioned midway, while simultaneously recording three-dimensional kinematics and kinetics. We used inverse dynamics analysis to determine moments and powers in lower-limb joints. Increasing the trunk forward inclination yielded the following changes in lower-limb mechanics: a) an elevation in total positive power with a distoproximal shift and a reduction in total negative power; b) systematic increases in hip positive power, coupled with decreased and increased contribution to total negative (during level-step) and positive (during drop-step) powers, respectively; c) reductions in both negative and positive knee powers, along with a decrease in its contribution to total positive power. Regardless of the trunk posture, accommodating drop-steps while running demands elevated total limb negative and positive powers with the ankle as a primary source of energy absorption and generation. Leaning the trunk more forward induces a distoproximal shift in positive power, whereas leaning backward exerts an opposing influence on negative power within the lower-limb joints.