Gait re-training: a technology-based intervention for reducing impact loading in running
Ó Catháin, CiaránORCID: 0000-0002-8526-8924
(2015)
Gait re-training: a technology-based intervention for reducing impact loading in running.
PhD thesis, Dublin City University.
Purpose: The primary aim of this thesis was to examine if a compliant running technique reduces impact accelerations, what the associated kinematics and kinetics are, and what method should be employed in the teaching of runners to adopt this technique. A secondary aim was to determine the effect of compliant running kinematics on energy expenditure.
Methods: Study 1 examined the use of a verbally directed compliant technique. Study 2 examined the success of an accelerometer-based biofeedback system using various accelerometer locations (tibia, sacrum and treadmill). Study 3 then compared the use of a tibial located accelerometer-based biofeedback system to verbal feedback. Study 4 examined a 4-week treadmill based biofeedback intervention with regard to how it altered kinematics, loading, and energy expenditure.
Results: Treadmill accelerometer-based biofeedback appears to display an ability to reduce both tibial (-26%) and sacral (-17%) accelerations acutely, with reductions increasing further when the intervention period is extended to 4-weeks (tibia: -40%; sacrum: -42%). These reductions were associated with reduced vGRFs and joint moments. In comparison, an acute and a 3-week bout of verbal feedback produced lower reductions in impact accelerations (tibia: -8%, sacrum: - 22%; tibia: -10%, sacrum: -41%;); while segment based biofeedback produced large reductions but more localised to their source of feedback: sacral biofeedback (tibia: -1%; sacrum: -27%), and tibial biofeedback (tibia: -39%; sacrum: -4%). This reduced loading was achieved by increased cushioning at impact and decreased vertical oscillation of the COM. These kinematic changes demonstrated no effect on energy expenditure in study 4, but an increase in energy expenditure in study 1; possible due to the larger degree of knee and hip flexion in study 1.
Conclusion: A 4-week treadmill accelerometer-based biofeedback intervention appears to reduce loading to a greater extent than verbal feedback, or biofeedback from the tibia or sacrum. This appeared to not influence energy expenditure.