The pursuit of improved running performance: Can changes in cushioning and proprioception influence running economy and injury risk?

Abstract

The pursuit of improved running performance: Can changes in cushioning and somatosensory feedback influence running economy and injury risk?Purpose: There is currently no consensus regarding the effect that barefoot (BFT) running has on running economy (RE). Stride length and shoe mass are confounding variables, with a BFT stride length being shorter than a shod (SH) stride length. Comparison of SH, minimalist shod (MS) and BFT allows controlled variation of cushioning and somatosensory feedback to determine the effect that either and/or both have on RE and running mechanics. Methods: Fifteen female habitually shod, recreational runners visited the laboratory twice.Familiarisation to BFT and SH treadmill running occurred during visit one, in addition to determining SH stride length and BFT stride length. During visit two participants ran BFT, SH and MS with BFT stride length and MS with SH stride length at 10 km⋅ h -1 for six minutes with ten minute rest periods between each condition. Lower limb kinematics, EMG, impact acceleration and O2 were recorded during the final two minutes of each run.Results: BFT RE was significantly better than SH and MS with BFT stride length. SH RE was significantly worse than MS with SH stride length, but similar to MS with a BFT stride length. Low vertical oscillation, peak eversion and peak dorsiflexion, less plantarflexion at toe-off, in addition to an earlier occurrence of heel off, higher impact accelerations and greater tibialis anterior activity were observed during the most economical condition. Conclusions:Heightened somatosensory feedback and lack of cushioning (BFT) offered an advantage to economy over less somatosensory feedback (MS) and cushioning (SH). Whilst the low vertical oscillation and low plantarflexion at toe-off appear to contribute to the improved RE, other changes to running mechanics whilst BFT could potentially influence injury risk.

Influence of Biomechanical Parameters on Performance in Elite Triathletes along 29 Weeks of Training

“…These non-improvements in leg stiffness are supported by some studies showing that stiffness has not increased and even decreases after 8 weeks of concurrent plyometric and running training in novice runners [19]. On the other hand, it is worth noting the negative correlation between VO and speed in both the pre-and post-test is because a lower VO could make the athlete more efficient [59] and decreases in VO leads to improving the running economy [60]. Hence, increasing VO leads to increases in VO 2 [61].…”

The validity and reliability of wearable devices for the measurement of vertical oscillation for running

“…Running on a treadmill compared to overground running could potentially increase VO due to flexion in the treadmill running surface and should be considered when applying the results of treadmill VO studies to outdoor running. Another external factor known to effect VO is running footwear, with evidence that running barefoot reduces VO compared to shod running [ 26 ]. In this study, participants wore their own choice of running footwear, therefore footwear type was not controlled for.…”

“…In this study, participants wore their own choice of running footwear, therefore footwear type was not controlled for. However, the effect of footwear type on VO was likely minimal considering the effect of barefoot running has been reported to be a 7% reduction in VO [ 26 ].…”