In-field temporospatial gait retraining adherence improves with music auditory cueing.

Abstract

In-field gait retraining using metronomes is a common sports medicine intervention. Many runners prefer to listen to music. Removing music may impact exercise performance and possibly gait retraining adherence. Increased step-rate accuracy and adherence were compared between music and metronome in-field gait retraining. Thirty healthy individuals were allocated to groups (music or metronome) then completed a pretest running assessment while step-rate was collected. Target step-rate was calculated (+5% above preferred). After five in-lab, guided gait retraining sessions, participants were told to continue practicing on their own for approximately 1-month while step-rate and running mileage were monitored remotely via an app. Participants returned for a posttest to collect step-rate and were categorized as adherent or nonadherent based on their monthly activity. A 2 × 2repeated measures ANOVA was performed to determine differences in step-rate (group by time). A Fisher's exact test and odds ratio examined the relationship between group and adherence. The music and metronome groups increased step-rate (p < .001) from pretest to posttest. A significant association between group and adherence was found (p = .045). The music group was more adherent to in-field gait retraining. Music and metronome auditory cueing effectively increased step-rate, but music auditory cueing led to improved adherence.