KINEMATICS OF LOWER LIMBAND PELVIC WORK DURING RUNNING IN NEUTRAL AND MINIMALIST FOOTWEAR AMONG A GROUP OF HIGHLY QUALIFIED RUNNERS

Abstract

Aim. The aim of the study is to characterise and compare the values of angle changes within the lower limb joints in the sagittal plane and spatial pelvic movements while running in minimalist and neutral footwear. Materials and methods. Research was carried out among a group of 13 participants (6 men and 7 women), highly qualified male and female athletes from the AZS AWF (University of Physical Education) Kraków club. Registration of the run and analysis of the results was performed using spatial motion analysis via the Vicon system with speeds at 3.94±0.45 m/s for men and 3.97±0.32 m/s for women, and 3.91±057 m/s and 4.1±0.36 m/s for men and women, respectively, in the group of highly qualified athletes. Results. At the initial point of foot contact with the ground, the minimalist footwear run was characterised by greater plantar flexion totalling about 5º compared to the run in neutral footwear. There was also a 8º higher value of dorsiflexion during the amortisation phase and a lower value by approx. 5º during the swing phase in this joint when running in minimalist footwear. In the knee joint, a value of about 6º higher flexion was observed during the amortisation phase when running in minimalist footwear. Differences in hip joint angle of approximately 6-8º were found during maximal extension of the joint during the final rebound phase. Spatial pelvic movements were similar during runs in both types of footwear. Conclusions. The obtained results indicate that some of the amortisation and driving force tasks are taken over by the sports footwear. During the run in minimalist footwear, a key role in the field of body amortisation is played by the increased range of knee flexion, while during the rebound phase, the increased range of hip joint extension predominates.