Long-term efficacy of conditioning training program combined with feedback on kinetics and kinematics in male runners.

Abstract

This study was aimed to compare the effects of 8-week conditioning training (CT) programs with and without feedback on lower limbs' biomechanics and injury incidence in free-injury male runners and assess their effectiveness across a 1-year observation. A total of 49 healthy male runners were randomly assigned to one of three groups of CT (n=16), CT with feedback (n=17), and placebo (n=16) group. Kinematic and kinetic measurements were conducted at pre-intervention, 8weeks post-intervention, and 1-year follow-up stage. Injury incidence was also measured at pre-intervention and follow-up stage. As a result, significant improvement was found in within-group differences in CT and CT with feedback groups. Moreover, significant difference in CT with feedback group was observed in the kinetic outcome improvement after 8weeks as compared to CT group. On the other side, there were no significant differences between the CT and CT with feedback groups in kinematic outcomes. However, the percentage of changes in kinematic outcomes were higher in CT with feedback group than those in the CT group. No significant change was observed in the placebo group in all the variables. There was comparative between-group difference between CT with feedback group and the placebo one, favoring the former group. At 1-year follow-up, the injury incidence was reduced by 32% for CT group, 64.6% for CT with feedback group, and 15.5% for placebo. Thus, the CT with feedback was effective in improving biomechanics and reducing injury incidence. Improvements were generally maintained through 1year, indicating potential for long-term changes. This study demonstrates the applicability of using feedback with CT to enhance safer movement patterns in runners and may subsequently help prevent or reduce injury risks.