Abstract
Running is a popular fitness activity with health benefits. However, running related injuries are common and reoccurring. These injuries are linked to faulty biomechanics such as excessive hip adduction (HADD), hip internal rotation (HIR), knee valgus (KVAL), and contralateral pelvis drop (CPD). Therapists attempt to retrain gait using biofeedback and muscle strengthening with mixed results. Functional movement pattern (FMP) training is a novel intervention that corrects underlying FMPs (stepping, squatting). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a 6-week FMP corrective program to retrain running gait. We used paired t-tests to evaluate changes in peak motion in degrees for HADD, HIR, KVAL, and CPD; and total Functional Movement Screen (FMS) scores out of 21. 26 volunteers who ran >20 miles per week were screened using the FMS; those scoring ≤14/21 or having left/right asymmetries qualified for the study. 12 healthy runners (26.4 ± 9.6 yrs, 1.75 ± 0.78 m, 64.2 ± 9.8 kg) underwent 3D motion analysis of running biomechanics and received a 6-week supervised corrective exercise program based on their FMS results. Participants were post-tested on FMS and 3D motion analysis. Significant improvements were shown in FMS scores (pre 13 ± 1.2 vs post 16 ± 1.2, p <.001) and KVAL (pre 17.5° + 8.7° vs post 8.8° + 9.3° , p=.05). Although not statistically significant, HIR improved by 9.4° , p=.08. There were no significant changes in HADD or CPD, p >.05. Results show that correcting underlying FMPs shows promise to retrain gait in runners.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. Monique Mokha
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-8-2016 1:00 PM
End Date
4-8-2016 5:30 PM
A Novel Approach to Gait Retraining in Competitive Runners
Alvin Sherman Library
Running is a popular fitness activity with health benefits. However, running related injuries are common and reoccurring. These injuries are linked to faulty biomechanics such as excessive hip adduction (HADD), hip internal rotation (HIR), knee valgus (KVAL), and contralateral pelvis drop (CPD). Therapists attempt to retrain gait using biofeedback and muscle strengthening with mixed results. Functional movement pattern (FMP) training is a novel intervention that corrects underlying FMPs (stepping, squatting). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a 6-week FMP corrective program to retrain running gait. We used paired t-tests to evaluate changes in peak motion in degrees for HADD, HIR, KVAL, and CPD; and total Functional Movement Screen (FMS) scores out of 21. 26 volunteers who ran >20 miles per week were screened using the FMS; those scoring ≤14/21 or having left/right asymmetries qualified for the study. 12 healthy runners (26.4 ± 9.6 yrs, 1.75 ± 0.78 m, 64.2 ± 9.8 kg) underwent 3D motion analysis of running biomechanics and received a 6-week supervised corrective exercise program based on their FMS results. Participants were post-tested on FMS and 3D motion analysis. Significant improvements were shown in FMS scores (pre 13 ± 1.2 vs post 16 ± 1.2, p <.001) and KVAL (pre 17.5° + 8.7° vs post 8.8° + 9.3° , p=.05). Although not statistically significant, HIR improved by 9.4° , p=.08. There were no significant changes in HADD or CPD, p >.05. Results show that correcting underlying FMPs shows promise to retrain gait in runners.
