FOOTFALL PATTERN DURING RUNNING IN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN ACCORDING TO AGE AND FOOTWEAR

The aim of this study was to compare the footfall pattern (FP) in different age groups of preschool children while they ran in standard running shoes (SRS) and barefoot. Forty-eight children aged 3-6 years participated in the study and were split into 4 age groups (n=12). All children performed a simple running game (based on the shuffle run) in SRS and barefoot. The length of the runway was adjusted for each age group. Kinematic and kinetic data were collected using 3-D motion capture system. We analyzed strike index (SI) and sagittal plane ankle angle (AA) at initial contact (IC) from 6 successful running trials for each child in each condition. We found differences between conditions in both SI (p=0.000, η2=0.448) and AA (p=0.000, η2=0.259) respectively, but we did not find any differences among age groups. Moreover, we found an interaction between age and conditions in AA (p=0.019, η2= 0.201). In preschool children, FP changed differently in certain age groups according to the footwear condition

FOOTFALL PATTERN IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH ALTERED ACHILLES TENDON T2* RELAXATION TIME OF RECREATIONAL DISTANCE RUNNERS

Achilles tendon (AT) tendinopathy was reported to be the pathology with one of the highest incidences of all running-related injuries. Non-rearfoot FP has been proposed to be the risk factor for AT overload. T2* relaxation time of Achilles tendon is considered to be a marker of AT tendinopathy. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare T2* relaxation time of Achilles tendon (AT) between recreational runner population with rearfoot (RF) and non-rearfoot (NR) footfall patterns (FP). Twenty-two middle age recreational runners (11 rearfoot and 11 non-rearfoot), matched according to running distance, participated in this study. Resting T2* relaxation time was determined using a 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging technique. Lower extremity kinematics and kinetics were recorded during over-ground running at a self-selected speed. No significant differences were found between T2* relaxation time of the insertion portion of the AT between RF and NR runners. Structural properties of the most injured part of the AT is not affected by running FP in healthy middle-aged runners

Running and Physical Activity in an Air-Polluted Environment: The Biomechanical and Musculoskeletal Protocol for a Prospective Cohort Study 4HAIE (Healthy Aging in Industrial Environment—Program 4)

Far too little attention has been paid to health effects of air pollution and physical (in)activity on musculoskeletal health. The purpose of the Healthy aging in industrial environment study (4HAIE) is to investigate the potential impact of physical activity in highly polluted air on musculoskeletal health. A total of 1500 active runners and inactive controls aged 18–65 will be recruited. The sample will be recruited using quota sampling based on location (the most air-polluted region in EU and a control region), age, sex, and activity status. Participants will complete online questionnaires and undergo a two-day baseline laboratory assessment, including biomechanical, physiological, psychological testing, and magnetic resonance imaging. Throughout one-year, physical activity data will be collected through Fitbit monitors, along with data regarding the incidence of injuries, air pollution, psychological factors, and behavior collected through a custom developed mobile application. Herein, we introduce a biomechanical and musculoskeletal protocol to investigate musculoskeletal and neuro-mechanical health in this 4HAIE cohort, including a design for controlling for physiological and psychological injury factors. In the current ongoing project, we hypothesize that there will be interactions of environmental, biomechanical, physiological, and psychosocial variables and that these interactions will cause musculoskeletal diseases/protection

BIOMECHANICS IN THE 4HAIE STUDY: AIR POLLUTION AND MUSCULOSKELETAL HEALTH - AN UPDATE

The overall purpose of the 4HAIE study was to assess the influence of the interaction between air pollution and biomechanical, physiological and psychosocial factors on the incidence of injuries, health and well-being. A total of 1,500 active runners and inactive controls aged 18-65 will be recruited. Herein, we describe the biomechanical study design with data examples to investigate musculoskeletal and neuro-mechanics health in different air quality regions

Achilles tendon dimensions, ankle stiffness and footfall patterns in recreational runners

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among Achilles tendon (AT) dimensions, ankle joint stiffness, and footfall patterns in recreational rearfoot and non-rearfoot runners. Based on the foot strike index, a total of 107 runners were divided into rearfoot (47 females/40 males) and non-rearfoot runners (14 females/6 males). All participants had theirs AT dimensions (AT length, AT thickness, and AT moment arm) measured using a combination of ultrasound and motion capture systems. In addition, all performed running trials measured at self-selected speed in laboratory-neutral shoes. A partial correlation coefficient was used for correlations between the selected variables. The results revealed a significant relationship between ankle joint stiffness and level of footfall pattern in rearfoot (r = 0.232, p = 0.032) and non-rearfoot runners (r = -0.811, p < 0.001). The results also suggest a relationship between AT thickness and foot strike index (r = -0.486) in non-rearfoot runners. Runners whose footfall pattern is closer to the heel have greater ankle joint stiffness. Non-rearfoot runners whose footfall pattern is closer to the toe have a thinner AT. Non-rearfoot runners with thicker AT had greater ankle joint stiffness

Knee Joint Kinematics and Kinetics During Walking and Running After Surgical Achilles Tendon Repair

Background: Despite the increasing incidence of Achilles tendon (AT) ruptures, there is a lack of information on the possible risks associated with regular running and walking for exercise after an injury. There are some known kinematic gait changes after an AT rupture, especially at the knee. However, it is not clear whether runners with AT ruptures may be at risk for secondary knee injuries during shod or barefoot running/walking. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to compare the kinematics and kinetics of barefoot walking and barefoot and shod running between athletes with a history of AT ruptures and a healthy control group. We hypothesized that there would be increased knee joint loads in the affected limb of the AT rupture group, especially during shod running. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Ten patients who had undergone surgical treatment of a unilateral acute AT rupture (6.1 ± 3.7 years postoperatively) and 10 control participants were matched according to age, sex, physical activity, weight, height, and footfall type. The kinematics and kinetics of barefoot walking and barefoot and shod running were recorded using a high-speed motion capture system synchronized with force platforms. Results: The main outcome measures were lower extremity joint angles and moments during the stance phase of walking and running. After AT repair, athletes had increased internal knee abduction moments during shod and barefoot running compared with the healthy control group (P \u3c .05, Z2 \u3e 0.14). There were no significant differences in kinematics and kinetics during walking between the AT rupture and healthy control groups (P ≥ .05). Conclusion: After an AT rupture, athletes had increased internal knee abduction moments during running compared with the healthy control group. Clinical Relevance: The increased abduction loads on the knee in patients with an AT rupture could lead to further running-related injuries. However, barefoot walking may be used as a proprioceptive exercise without an increased risk of overuse injuries in these patients

Running and Physical Activity in an Air-Polluted Environment: The Biomechanical and Musculoskeletal Protocol for a Prospective Cohort Study 4HAIE (Healthy Aging in Industrial Environment—Program 4)

Far too little attention has been paid to health effects of air pollution and physical (in)activity on musculoskeletal health. The purpose of the Healthy aging in industrial environment study (4HAIE) is to investigate the potential impact of physical activity in highly polluted air on musculoskeletal health. A total of 1500 active runners and inactive controls aged 18–65 will be recruited. The sample will be recruited using quota sampling based on location (the most air-polluted region in EU and a control region), age, sex, and activity status. Participants will complete online questionnaires and undergo a two-day baseline laboratory assessment, including biomechanical, physiological, psychological testing, and magnetic resonance imaging. Throughout one-year, physical activity data will be collected through Fitbit monitors, along with data regarding the incidence of injuries, air pollution, psychological factors, and behavior collected through a custom developed mobile application. Herein, we introduce a biomechanical and musculoskeletal protocol to investigate musculoskeletal and neuro-mechanical health in this 4HAIE cohort, including a design for controlling for physiological and psychological injury factors. In the current ongoing project, we hypothesize that there will be interactions of environmental, biomechanical, physiological, and psychosocial variables and that these interactions will cause musculoskeletal diseases/protection