Acute effects of long distance running on gait parameters

S. R.Pachava, N.Paruthi

Abstract: Twenty-Six healthy men and women participated in this study in which 13 were long distance runners and remaining were control subjects. Following the initial assessment of gait parameters (spatiotemporal and kinetic gait parameters), the runners were asked to complete the regular training program. Immediately after the run, the gait parameters were assessed using Zebris FDM-Treadmill. The parameters were analysed and compared with the pre training data. The same parameters were also assessed for the control group at rest. Paired t-test was used to compare the gait parameters before and after the run. Independent t-test was used to compare the parameters between runners and control group. Significant changes observed in runners post run where they showed significant change in stance phase, loading phase, swing phase, step length and cadence. The control group showed significant changes in the gait parameters when compared to long distance runners at rest. The findings of the study suggest that the long-distance running influence the gait parameters after the regular training of the runners. This finding might be interesting for clinicians and coaches by warning the runners about the influence of fatigue on the biomechanical adaptations to the training sessions.

Series on Biomechanics, Vol.36 No.4 (2022), 46-53
DOI: 10.7546/SB.05.04.2022

Keywords: kinematics; Kinetics; runners

Date published: 2022-11-07