Running stiffness and spatiotemporal parameters are similar between non-runners and runners with different experience levels.

Abstract

Spatiotemporal parameters and leg and joint stiffness are variables that represent the fundamental dynamics of running. Therefore, these variables may effectively differentiate between less-experienced and more-experienced runners' gait, possibly addressing differing injury rates between populations. We compared stiffness and spatiotemporal parameters between runners with different experience levels, including a group with no previous running experience. Healthy physically active participants (22.1 ± 3.6y) were divided into three groups, according to experience: experienced (running >1-year, 14-48 km/week; n = 23, 9F), novice (running <1-year, 5-21 km/week; n = 15, 4F) and non-runners (no running for the past 5 years; n = 17, 7F). Three-dimensional motion capture and force plates measured gait mechanics during overground running at 3.35 m·s^-1. Knee, ankle and three-dimensional leg stiffness, contact time, flight time and step length were compared between groups using independent-measures ANCOVA (covariate = sex). No biomechanical variable was significantly different between the groups (leg: p = 0.652, Hedges' g = 0.09-0.17; ankle: p = 0.439, g = 0.07-0.19; knee: p = 0.153, g = 0.13-0.29; contact time: p = 0.592, g = 0.06-0.24; flight time: p = 0.513, g = 0.03-0.40; step length: p = 0.107, g = 0.26-0.61). Stiffness and spatiotemporal parameters were not different between runners with greater than 1-year of experience when compared to runners with less than 1-year experience and non-runners. Therefore, running gait may not differentially affect injury rates between experience levels.