Sex differences in limb and joint stiffness
in recreational runners

Sinclair, J; Shore, H F; Taylor, P J; Atkins, Stephen John

Abstract

Purpose. Female runners are known to be at greater risk from chronic running injuries than age-matched males, although the exact
mechanisms are often poorly understood. The aim of the current investigation was to determine if female recreational runners
exhibit distinct limb and joint stiffness characteristics in relation to their male counterparts. Methods. Fourteen male and fourteen
female runners ran over a force platform at 4.0 m · s–1. Lower limb kinematics were collected using an eight-camera optoelectric
motion capture system operating at 250 Hz. Measures of limb and joint stiffness were calculated as a function of limb length and
joint moments divided by the extent of limb and joint excursion. All stiffness and joint moment parameters were normalized
to body mass. Sex differences in normalized limb and knee and ankle joint stiffness were examined statistically using independent
samples t tests. Results. The results indicate that normalized limb (male = 0.18 ± 0.07, female = 0.37 ± 0.10 kN · kg · m–1) and knee
stiffness (male = 5.59 ± 2.02, female = 7.34 ± 1.78 Nm · kg · rad–1) were significantly greater in female runners. Conclusions. On
the basis that normalized knee and limb stiffness were shown to be significantly greater in female runners, the findings from the
current investigation may provide further insight into the aetiology of the distinct injury patterns observed between sexes.
Key words: running, sex, limb stiffness, biomechanics

Citation

in recreational runners. Human Movement, 16(3), 137-141. https://doi.org/10.1515/humo-2015-0039

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 27, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Apr 14, 2016
• Publication Date: Apr 14, 2016
• Deposit Date: Jun 7, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 7, 2016
• Journal: Human Movement Science
• Publisher: De Gruyter
• Volume: 16
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 137-141
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/humo-2015-0039
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/humo-2015-0039
• Related Public URLs: http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/humo