Dataset Information

Association Between Knee- and Hip-Extensor Strength and Running-Related Injury Biomechanics in Collegiate Distance Runners.

ABSTRACT:

Context

Running-related injuries are common in distance runners. Strength training is used for performance enhancement and injury prevention. However, the association between maximal strength and distance-running biomechanics is unclear.

Objective

To determine the relationship between maximal knee- and hip-extensor strength and running biomechanics previously associated with injury risk.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Research laboratory.

Patients or other participants

A total of 36 collegiate distance runners (26 men, 10 women; age = 20.0 ± 1.5 years, height = 1.74 ± 0.09 m, mass = 61.97 ± 8.26 kg).

Main outcome measure(s)

Strength was assessed using the 1-repetition maximum (1RM) back squat and maximal voluntary isometric contractions of the knee extensors and hip extensors. Three-dimensional running biomechanics were assessed overground at a self-selected speed. Running variables were the peak instantaneous vertical loading rate; peak forward trunk-lean angle; knee-flexion, internal-rotation, and -abduction angles and internal moments; and hip-extension, internal-rotation, and -adduction angles and internal moments. Separate stepwise linear regression models were used to examine the associations between strength and biomechanical outcomes (ΔR2) after accounting for sex, running speed, and foot-strike index.

Results

Greater 1RM back-squat strength was associated with a larger peak knee-flexion angle (ΔR2 = 0.110, ΔP = .045) and smaller peak knee internal-rotation angle (ΔR2 = 0.127, ΔP = .03) and internal-rotation moment (ΔR2 = 0.129, ΔP = .03) after accounting for sex, speed, and foot-strike index. No associations were found between 1RM back-squat strength and vertical loading rate, trunk lean, or hip kinematics and kinetics. Hip- and knee-extensor maximal voluntary isometric contractions were also not associated with any biomechanical variables.

Conclusions

Greater 1RM back-squat strength was weakly associated with a larger peak knee-flexion angle and smaller knee internal-rotation angle and moment in collegiate distance runners. Runners who are weaker in the back-squat exercise may exhibit running biomechanics associated with the development of knee-related injuries.

SUBMITTER: Moffit TJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7740053 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundThe percentage of sustained maximal oxygen uptake and the running economy are important factors that determine the running success of endurance athletes. Running economy is defined as the oxygen uptake required to run at a given speed and depends on metabolic, cardiorespiratory, biomechanical, neuromuscular, and anthropometric factors. With regard to anthropometric characteristics, total body mass seems to be a crucial factor for the running economy. Moreover, neuromuscular components, especially knee muscular strength and the strength balance ratio, also seem to be critical for the running economy. In addition to knee muscle strength, hip muscle strength is also an important contributor to running performance on level or hilly ground. However, the relationship between running economy and the hip muscles is unknown. Thus the aim of the present study was to verify whether hip flexor and extensor isokinetic peak torque, the isokinetic strength balance ratio, total body mass and fat free mass were associated with running economy in both sexes and to compare sex differences in physical fitness and isokinetic strength characteristics.MethodsA total of 24 male (31.0 ± 7.7 years, 176.2 ± 7.3 cm, and 70.4 ± 8.4 kg) and 15 female (31.3 ± 6.7 years, 162.9 ± 3.9 cm, and 56.0 ± 5.3 kg) recreationally-trained endurance runners were recruited. Maximal oxygen uptake, running economy, conventional (concentric flexors-to-concentric extensors) and functional (concentric flexors-to-eccentric extensors) hip isokinetic strength balance ratios, peak torque of the hip flexor and extensor muscles, total body mass, and fat-free mass were measured. Running economy was assessed on two separate days by means of the energy running cost (Ec) using a motorized treadmill at 10.0 and 12.0 km h-1 (3% gradient) and 11.0 and 14.0 km h-1 (1% gradient).ResultsThe functional balance ratio was significantly and negatively associated with Ec at 11.0 (r = - 0.43, P = 0.04) and 12.0 km h-1 (r = - 0.65, P = 0.04) when using a 3% gradient in male runners. Considering muscular strength, male runners only showed a significant relationship between Ec (assessed at 12 km h-1 and a 3% gradient) and peak torque for extensor muscle eccentric action (r = 0.72, P = 0.04). For female runners, only peak torque relative to total body mass for extensor muscles (180° s-1) was positively associated with Ec when assessed at 10 km h-1 using a 3% gradient (r = 0.59, P = 0.03). No significant relationships were found between Ec and total body mass or fat-free mass.DiscussionGiven that the functional balance ratio was associated with a better Ec, coaches and athletes should consider implementing a specific strengthening program for hip flexor muscles to increase the functional ratio.

Project description:BackgroundKnee joint kinematics and kinetics during running recover at 12 months, not 6 months, following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery. Knee muscle strength is a criterion used to assess an individual's readiness to return-to-sports (RTS); however, the relationship between knee muscle strength and knee biomechanics is unclear. This study investigated the relationship between knee muscle strength and dynamic knee biomechanics during running at 6 and 12 months after ACL reconstruction surgery.MethodsKnee joint kinematics and kinetics during running were analyzed in 21 patients (10 males, 11 females) who underwent ACL reconstruction for a unilateral ACL deficiency. Kinematics and Kinetics were measured by three-dimensional motion analysis system, and Knee flexion angle was calculated using Point cluster technique and internal extension moment was calculated by the inverse dynamics method. Patients were compared to a control group matched by age, height and weight. Isokinetic knee extension and flexion strength in ACL-reconstructed patients were measured at 6 and 12 months postsurgery, by separated gender.ResultsKnee flexion angle was significantly lower in ACL patients at 6 months postsurgery compared to the control group (F (2, 62)=5.78, P=0.014). There were significant lower peak knee flexion angles in male groups than female (F (1, 62)=6.33, P<0.01). Knee extension moments were significantly lower in both male and female ACL patients compared to the control group at 6 and 12 months postsurgery (F (2, 62)=12.05, P<0.01(6 months), P=0.034(12 months)), and there were significant correlations with knee extension moments and maximum torque of knee extension/flexion (P<0.05). At 12 months after surgery, knee joint kinematics in ACL patients were restored. Both peak knee angle and knee extension moment were significantly associated with maximum knee extension/flexion torque values in female patients at 12 months postsurgery.ConclusionsDynamic knee biomechanics during running were not restored 6 and 12 months after ACL reconstruction both male and female. It is necessary to strengthen knee extension and flexion muscles to restore knee kinetics during running, especially female patients.

Project description:Delving into the complexities of embodied cognition unveils the intertwined influence of mind, body, and environment. The connection of physical activity with cognition sparks a hypothesis linking motion and personality traits. Hence, this study explored whether personality traits could be linked to biomechanical variables characterizing running forms. To do so, 80 runners completed three randomized 50-m running-trials at 3.3, 4.2, and 5m/s during which their running biomechanics [ground contact time (tc), flight time (tf), duty factor (DF), step frequency (SF), leg stiffness (kleg), maximal vertical ground reaction force (Fmax), and maximal leg compression of the spring during stance (ΔL)] was evaluated. In addition, participants' personality traits were assessed through the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) test. The MBTI classifies personality traits into one of two possible categories along four axes: extraversion-introversion; sensing-intuition; thinking-feeling; and judging-perceiving. This exploratory study offers compelling evidence that personality traits, specifically sensing and intuition, are associated with distinct running biomechanics. Individuals classified as sensing demonstrated a more grounded running style characterized by prolonged tc, shorter tf, higher DF, and greater ΔL compared to intuition individuals (p≤0.02). Conversely, intuition runners exhibited a more dynamic and elastic running style with a shorter tc and higher kleg than their sensing counterparts (p≤0.02). Post-hoc tests revealed a significant difference in tc between intuition and sensing runners at all speeds (p≤0.02). According to the definition of each category provided by the MBTI, sensing individuals tend to focus on concrete facts and physical realities while intuition individuals emphasize abstract concepts and patterns of information. These results suggest that runners with sensing and intuition personality traits differ in their ability to use their lower limb structures as springs. Intuition runners appeared to rely more in the stretch-shortening cycle to energetically optimize their running style while sensing runners seemed to optimize running economy by promoting more forward progression than vertical oscillations. This study underscores the intriguing interplay between personality traits of individuals and their preferred movement patterns.

Project description:Dynamical systems theory suggests that studying the complexity of biological signals could lead to a single gait metric that reliably predicts risk of running-related injury (RRI). The purposes of this pilot study were to examine center of mass (COM) acceleration complexity at baseline, prior to RRI, and the change between timepoints between collegiate runners who developed RRI during a competitive season and those who remained uninjured, and to determine if complexity at these timepoints was associated with increased odds of RRI. Twenty-two collegiate runners from the same cross-country team wore a waist-mounted triaxial accelerometer (100 Hz) during easy-intensity runs throughout the competitive season. RRIs requiring medical attention were reported via an online survey. Control entropy was used to estimate the complexity of the resultant COM acceleration recorded during each run. Associations between complexity and RRI were assessed using a frequency-matching strategy where uninjured participants were paired with injured participants using complexity from the most time-proximal run prior to RRI. Seven runners sustained an RRI. No significant differences were observed between injured and uninjured groups for baseline complexity (p = 0.364, d = 0.405), pre-injury complexity (p = 0.258, d = 0.581), or change from baseline to pre-injury (p = 0.101, d = 0.963). There were no statistically significant associations found between complexity and RRI risk. Although no significant associations were found, the median effect from the models indicated that an increase in baseline complexity, pre-injury complexity, and change in complexity from baseline each corresponded to an increased odds of sustaining an RRI [baseline: odds ratio (OR) = 1.560, 95% CI = 0.587-4.143, p = 0.372; pre-injury: OR = 1.926, 95% CI: 0.689-5.382, p = 0.211; change from baseline: OR = 1.119; 95% CI: 0.839-1.491, p = 0.445). Despite non-significance and wide confidence intervals that included both positive and negative associations, the point estimates for >98% of the 10,000 frequency-case-control-matched model fits indicated that matching strategy did not influence the directionality of the association estimates between complexity and RRI risk (i.e., odds ratio >1.0). This pilot study demonstrates initial feasibility that additional research may support COM acceleration complexity as a useful single-metric monitoring system for RRI risk during real-world training. Follow-up work should assess longitudinal associations between gait complexity and running-related injury in larger cohorts.

Project description:We examined the temporal changes of isokinetic strength performance of knee flexor (KF) and extensor (KE) strength after a football match. Players were randomly assigned to a control (N = 14, participated only in measurements and practices) or an experimental group (N = 20, participated also in a football match). Participants trained daily during the two days after the match. Match and training overload was monitored with GPS devices. Venous blood was sampled and muscle damage was assessed pre-match, post-match and at 12 h, 36 h and 60 h post-match. Isometric strength as well as eccentric and concentric peak torque of knee flexors and extensors in both limbs (dominant and non-dominant) were measured on an isokinetic dynamometer at baseline and at 12 h, 36 h and 60 h after the match. Functional (KFecc/KEcon) and conventional (KFcon/KEcon) ratios were then calculated. Only eccentric peak torque of knee flexors declined at 60 h after the match in the control group. In the experimental group: a) isometric strength of knee extensors and knee flexors declined (P<0.05) at 12 h (both limbs) and 36 h (dominant limb only), b) eccentric and concentric peak torque of knee extensors and flexors declined (P<0.05) in both limbs for 36 h at 60°/s and for 60 h at 180°/s with eccentric peak torque of knee flexors demonstrating a greater (P<0.05) reduction than concentric peak torque, c) strength deterioration was greater (P<0.05) at 180°/s and in dominant limb, d) the functional ratio was more sensitive to match-induced fatigue demonstrating a more prolonged decline. Discriminant and regression analysis revealed that strength deterioration and recovery may be related to the amount of eccentric actions performed during the match and athletes' football-specific conditioning. Our data suggest that recovery kinetics of knee flexor and extensor strength after a football match demonstrate strength, limb and velocity specificity and may depend on match physical overload and players' physical conditioning level.

Project description:BackgroundRunning overuse injuries (ROIs) occur within a complex, partly injury-specific interplay between training loads and extrinsic and intrinsic risk factors. Biomechanical risk factors (BRFs) are related to the individual running style. While BRFs have been reviewed regarding general ROI risk, no systematic review has addressed BRFs for specific ROIs using a standardized methodology.ObjectiveTo identify and evaluate the evidence for the most relevant BRFs for ROIs determined during running and to suggest future research directions.DesignSystematic review considering prospective and retrospective studies. (PROSPERO_ID: 236,832).Data sourcesPubMed. Connected Papers. The search was performed in February 2021.Eligibility criteriaEnglish language. Studies on participants whose primary sport is running addressing the risk for the seven most common ROIs and at least one kinematic, kinetic (including pressure measurements), or electromyographic BRF. A BRF needed to be identified in at least one prospective or two independent retrospective studies. BRFs needed to be determined during running.ResultsSixty-six articles fulfilled our eligibility criteria. Levels of evidence for specific ROIs ranged from conflicting to moderate evidence. Running populations and methods applied varied considerably between studies. While some BRFs appeared for several ROIs, most BRFs were specific for a particular ROI. Most BRFs derived from lower-extremity joint kinematics and kinetics were located in the frontal and transverse planes of motion. Further, plantar pressure, vertical ground reaction force loading rate and free moment-related parameters were identified as kinetic BRFs.ConclusionThis study offers a comprehensive overview of BRFs for the most common ROIs, which might serve as a starting point to develop ROI-specific risk profiles of individual runners. We identified limited evidence for most ROI-specific risk factors, highlighting the need for performing further high-quality studies in the future. However, consensus on data collection standards (including the quantification of workload and stress tolerance variables and the reporting of injuries) is warranted.