Abstract
Running-related musculoskeletal injuries occur with an overall yearly incidence rate between 37 and 65%. Most are lower extremity with 50-75% of all running injuries classified as overuse. These injuries have been linked to faulty running biomechanics such as foot over pronation, and excessive hip adduction and internal rotation. Therapists have primarily focused on strengthening the hip muscles to prevent excessive motion. However, little evidence supports the efficacy. This case outlines the use of functional movement pattern training rather than isolated muscle training to improve faulty biomechanics. The participant was a 19 year old female competitive distance runner with a history of right knee iliotibial band pathology who underwent a 4-week exercise program aimed at correcting movement patterns. Pre- and post-measures included Functional Movement Screen™ (FMS) scores and data from three-dimensional motion capture of her running biomechanics. Results showed improved FMS scores from 15/21 to 17/21 and eliminated left to right asymmetries. Biomechanically, she reduced her hip internal rotation from 35.50 to 25.70 , and her impact force from 301.7 N to 286 N. These reductions are considered positive toward correcting faulty mechanics. However, there were small but noteworthy increases in foot pronation, 7.20 to 8.10 , and pelvis drop, 1.60 , to 4.90 . Hip adduction increased by 0.5 degrees, not clinically meaningful. Moreover, she remained injury-free. We conclude that movement pattern training rather than isolated muscle training had a positive effect on correcting FMS scores and two faulty biomechanics measures. A greater training period may be necessary to impact all faulty mechanics.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. Monique Mokha
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-4-2014 1:00 PM
End Date
4-4-2014 5:30 PM
A Case Report of Improving Running Biomechanics through Movement Pattern Training in a Female Competitive Runner
Alvin Sherman Library
Running-related musculoskeletal injuries occur with an overall yearly incidence rate between 37 and 65%. Most are lower extremity with 50-75% of all running injuries classified as overuse. These injuries have been linked to faulty running biomechanics such as foot over pronation, and excessive hip adduction and internal rotation. Therapists have primarily focused on strengthening the hip muscles to prevent excessive motion. However, little evidence supports the efficacy. This case outlines the use of functional movement pattern training rather than isolated muscle training to improve faulty biomechanics. The participant was a 19 year old female competitive distance runner with a history of right knee iliotibial band pathology who underwent a 4-week exercise program aimed at correcting movement patterns. Pre- and post-measures included Functional Movement Screen™ (FMS) scores and data from three-dimensional motion capture of her running biomechanics. Results showed improved FMS scores from 15/21 to 17/21 and eliminated left to right asymmetries. Biomechanically, she reduced her hip internal rotation from 35.50 to 25.70 , and her impact force from 301.7 N to 286 N. These reductions are considered positive toward correcting faulty mechanics. However, there were small but noteworthy increases in foot pronation, 7.20 to 8.10 , and pelvis drop, 1.60 , to 4.90 . Hip adduction increased by 0.5 degrees, not clinically meaningful. Moreover, she remained injury-free. We conclude that movement pattern training rather than isolated muscle training had a positive effect on correcting FMS scores and two faulty biomechanics measures. A greater training period may be necessary to impact all faulty mechanics.
