Running gait biomechanics in female runners with sacroiliac joint pain

Abstract

To identify running gait biomechanics associated with sacroiliac (SI) joint pain in female runners compared to healthy controls. [Participants and Methods] In this case-control study, treadmill running gait biomechanics of female runners diagnosed SI joint pain, (by ultrasound-guided diagnostic SI joint injection and/or ≥2 positive SI physical exam maneuvers) were compared with age, height, mass, and BMI matched healthy female runners. Sagittal and coronal plane treadmill running video angles were measured and compared. [Results] Eighteen female runners with SI pain, and 63 matched controls, were analyzed. There was no difference in age, height, mass, or BMI between groups. At the point of initial contact, runners with SI joint pain demonstrated less knee flexion, greater tibial overstride, and greater ankle dorsiflexion, compared to controls. In midstance, runners with SI pain had greater contralateral pelvic drop compared to controls. For unilateral SI joint pain cases (N=15), greater contralateral pelvic drop was observed when loading their affected side compared to the unaffected side. [Conclusion] Female runners with SI joint pain demonstrated greater contralateral pelvic drop during midstance phase; along with less knee flexion, greater "tibial overstride", and greater ankle dorsiflexion at initial contact compared to controls.

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction in Endurance Runners Using Wearable Technology as a Clinical Monitoring Tool: Systematic Review

“…However, only 1 of the review papers specifically mentioned measuring biomechanical loads and asymmetries in elite long-distance runners through inertial sensors [ 26 ]. One study [ 27 ] reported on SIJ pain relative to contralateral pelvic drop compared while the remaining research papers specifically mentioned iliac stress fractures in endurance runners linked to the SIJ, hip pain, or SIJ dysfunction. The remaining studies did not openly discuss the link between wearables and remote settings and SIJ dysfunction but mentioned such relationships as being possible or hypothetical.…”

“…This, then, makes any possible deployment of wearables for rehabilitation purposes challenging if the diagnosis is either missed or misdiagnosed. As specific characteristics of SIJ dysfunction in endurance runners are required for investigation, the number of eligible participants was limited given that acute injuries were investigated primarily in 1 study [ 30 ] and chronic SIJ dysfunction in another [ 27 ], both of which occurred in control settings. None of the studies monitored acute or chronic SIJ dysfunction using wearables in a remote setting.…”

Healthy Running Habits for the Distance Runner: Clinical Utility of the American College of Sports Medicine Infographic

“…Impaired ability to control frontal and transverse pelvic and hip motion manifests as hip internal rotation, contralateral pelvic drop, and hip adduction. These kinematic features are related to patellofemoral pain (45), sacroiliac pain (22), and medial tibial stress syndrome (23,46). Gluteus medius activation is decreased and delayed in runners with patellofemoral pain versus healthy runners (47).…”

“…These techniques work to: 1) attenuate mechanical stressors and kinematics associated with bony and soft tissue injuries and 2) activate muscle groups of the core, pelvis, hip, and lower extremity. The following specific cues provided on the ACSM infographic have been scientifically studied and merged here specifically to address features associated with running injury: average and instantaneous loading rates of vertical ground reaction force (vGRF), braking ground reaction force impulse, contact time, foot contact position, contralateral pelvic drop angle, displacement of the center of pressures, and various kinematic features (2,(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24).…”

Running Posture Optimization in the Process of Track and Field Sports Based on Biomechanical Principle

“…The experimental results showed that the model could effectively improve the running effect and health level of athletes [7]. Whitney et al (2022) introduced an optimization method of mobile healthy running posture based on machine learning. This method optimized the running posture of athletes by collecting the movement data and posture information of athletes and combining with machine learning algorithm.…”