The biomechanical characteristics of high‐performance endurance running

Preece, SJ; Bramah, Christopher; Mason, Duncan

Abstract

The biomechanical profile of high-level endurance runners may represent a useful model that could be used for developing training programmes designed to improve running style. This study, therefore, sought to compare the biomechanical characteristics of high-performance and recreational runners. Kinematic and kinetic measurements were taken during overground running from a cohort of 14 high-performance (8 male) and 14 recreational (8 male) runners, at four speeds ranging from 3.3 to 5.6 m s−1. Two-way ANOVA analysis was then used to explore group and speed effects and principal component analysis used to explore the interdependence of the tested variables. The data showed the high-performance runners to have a gait style characterised by an increased vertical velocity of the centre of mass and a flight time that was 11% longer than the recreational group. The high-performance group were also observed to adopt a forefoot strike pattern, to contact the ground with their foot closer to their body and to have a larger ankle moment. Importantly, although observed group differences were mostly independent of speed, the tested variables showed a high degree of interdependence suggesting an underlying unitary phenomenon. This is the first study to compare high-performance and recreational runners across a full range of kinematic and kinetic variables. The results suggest that high-performance runners maintain stride length with a prolonged aerial phase, rather than by landing with a more extended knee. These findings motivate future intervention studies that should investigate whether recreational runners could benefit from instruction to decrease shank inclination at foot contact.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 23, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Dec 15, 2018
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2019
• Deposit Date: Dec 21, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 15, 2019
• Journal: European Journal of Sport Science
• Print ISSN: 1746-1391
• Electronic ISSN: 1536-7290
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Volume: 19
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 784-792
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2018.1554707
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2018.1554707
• Related Public URLs: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/tejs20/current