Running quietly reduces ground reaction force and vertical loading rate and alters foot strike technique

Abstract

This study aimed to determine if a quantifiable relationship exists between the peak sound amplitude and peak vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) and vertical loading rate during running. It also investigated whether differences in peak sound amplitude, contact time, lower limb kinematics, kinetics and foot strike technique existed when participants were verbally instructed to run quietly compared to their normal running. A total of 26 males completed running trials for two sound conditions: normal running and quiet running. Simple linear regressions revealed no significant relationships between impact sound and peak vGRF in the normal and quiet conditions and vertical loading rate in the normal condition. t-Tests revealed significant within-subject decreases in peak sound, peak vGRF and vertical loading rate during the quiet compared to the normal running condition. During the normal running condition, 15.4% of participants utilised a non-rearfoot strike technique compared to 76.9% in the quiet condition, which was corroborated by an increased ankle plantarflexion angle at initial contact. This study demonstrated that quieter impact sound is not directly associated with a lower peak vGRF or vertical loading rate. However, given the instructions to run quietly, participants effectively reduced peak impact sound, peak vGRF and vertical loading rate.

A Tale of Two Treatments for Patellofemoral Pain

“…However, a simple, inexpensive way to determine how hard one lands is to listen to the sound of the foot‐strike while assessing running on a treadmill. Hard landings are associated with high load rates [5], which in turn have been related to running injuries [6]. This is especially true of those injuries that are more serious and have not responded to standard courses of physical therapy, as in the case presented here.…”

An interdisciplinary examination of attentional focus strategies used during running gait retraining

“…Interestingly, more proximal lower limb biomechanical adjustments were observed for the external cue, in particular greater knee flexion at initial contact and during ground contact (peak flexion), while minimal changes occurred distally at the ankle. In contrast, Phan and colleagues reported reduced knee flexion at midstance and distal changes such as increased ankle plantarflexion at initial contact and reduced peak ankle dorsiflexion during ground contact when instructing runners to “make a quieter sound when you land” compared to habitual running. However, the use of barefoot, overground running by Phan and colleagues could have mediated the change of distal kinematics and a stiffer lower limb during midstance due to heightened somatosensory feedback at the foot and a stiffer running surface.…”

“…Three verbal cues were developed to create the following task‐relevant conditions: internal focus of attention (IF), external focus of attention (EF), and a clinical (CLIN) verbal cue specifically derived from current clinical practice that was an IF cue followed by EF cue. Typically, clinical practice uses an EF verbal cue due to its association with improving sports performance and recent evidence showing the EF verbal cue “run quietly” was effective at reducing vertical impact force and ankle dorsiflexion at initial contact . However, prior to the EF verbal cue, instructions are provided by the clinician to educate patients about the desired movement effect of the gait retraining session, which would be categorized as an IF verbal cue.…”

“…However, prior to the EF verbal cue, instructions are provided by the clinician to educate patients about the desired movement effect of the gait retraining session, which would be categorized as an IF verbal cue. Therefore, the IF verbal cue was “run with a flat foot,” the EF verbal cue was “run quietly”, and the CLIN verbal cue was “we are aiming to change foot strike, so run quietly.” All verbal cues were developed based on relevant literature, for example, Diebal et al; Phan et al, and discussions with clinical and biomechanical running specialists and two sport psychologists. The aim of each verbal cue was to promote a flatter foot at initial ground contact.…”

“…Various gait retraining interventions have been proposed, with many drawing upon the motor learning literature to develop their protocols, for example, feedback and verbal cues . The use of verbal cues is a particularly promising avenue of investigation as the provision of verbal instructions can help focus an individual's attention to specific features of their environment or the activity itself.…”