Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

The coordinated movement of the spine and pelvis during running

Preece, SJ; Mason, D; Bramah, CA

The coordinated movement of the spine and pelvis during running Thumbnail


Authors

D Mason



Abstract

Previous research into running has demonstrated consistent patterns in pelvic, lumbar and thoracic motions between different human runners. However, to date, there has been limited attempt to explain why observed coordination patterns emerge and how they may relate to centre of mass (CoM) motion. In this study, kinematic data were collected from the thorax, lumbar spine, pelvis and lower limbs during over ground running in n = 28 participants. These data was subsequently used to develop a theoretical understanding of the coordination of the spine and pelvis in all three body planes during the stance phase of running. In the sagittal plane, there appeared to be an antiphase coordinate pattern which may function to increase femoral inclination at toe off whilst minimising anterior–posterior accelerations of the CoM. In the medio-lateral direction, CoM motion appears to facilitate transition to the contralateral foot. However, an antiphase coordination pattern was also observed, most likely to minimise unnecessary accelerations of the CoM. In the transverse plane, motion of the pelvis was observed to lag slightly behind that of the thorax. However, it is possible that the close coupling between these two segments facilitates the thoracic rotation required to passively drive arm motion. This is the first study to provide a full biomechanical rationale for the coordination of the spine and pelvis during human running. This insight should help clinicians develop an improved understanding of how spinal and pelvic motions may contribute to, or result from, common running injuries.

Citation

Preece, S., Mason, D., & Bramah, C. (2016). The coordinated movement of the spine and pelvis during running. Human Movement Science, 45, 110-118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2015.11.014

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Nov 20, 2015
Online Publication Date Nov 24, 2015
Publication Date Feb 1, 2016
Deposit Date Apr 27, 2016
Publicly Available Date May 24, 2017
Journal Human Movement Science
Print ISSN 0167-9457
Publisher Elsevier
Volume 45
Pages 110-118
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2015.11.014
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2015.11.014
Related Public URLs http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167945715300646

Files






You might also like



Downloadable Citations