Are Lower Limb Running Kinematics Altered 48 Hours After a Personal Best Half-Marathon Attempt? A Within-Subject Repeated-Measures Study.

Abstract

Context: Delayed recovery may affect lower-extremity kinematics and kinetics during impact activities, potentially altering movement patterns. Such changes may be associated with increased exposure to injury risk factors or impaired performance-related outcomes in runners. This study investigated whether completing a half-marathon affects 3D running kinematics.

Design: Within-subject repeated measures.

Methods: Fifteen trained adult runners (11 males) completed an outdoor half-marathon, aiming for their personal best time. Perceived recovery, pain perception, pressure pain threshold, and 3D running kinematics were assessed 72 hours before and 48 hours after the half-marathon. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to compare discrete variables, and statistical parametric mapping was applied to analyze kinematic waveforms (α = .05).

Results: Reduced pressure pain threshold for the vastus lateralis region and reduced perceived recovery were observed 48 hours posthalf-marathon, indicating delayed effects of the exercise on recovery. Nonsignificant differences were observed in sagittal-plane joint kinematics, with runners exhibiting slightly longer stance time (small to medium effect size, mean difference of ∼3%) and larger ankle range of motion (small to medium effect size, mean difference from 7 to 11%) in the transverse plane 48 hours posthalf-marathon. The small magnitude leg asymmetries observed in the prehalf-marathon were no longer present 48 hours posthalf-marathon. No differences were observed in joint angles waveforms pre- versus posthalf-marathon.

Conclusion: Overall, runners maintained stable sagittal-plane lower limb kinematics 48 hours after a half-marathon, with minor changes in ankle transverse-plane motion and stance time. Although these adaptations were small, they may be considered when interpreting running mechanics during the recovery period following strenuous endurance exercise. The impact of this short-term adaptation on injury risk requires further investigation.