Outdoor Running Activities Captured Using Wearable Sensors in Adult Competitive Runners

Abstract

Treadmill running analyses cannot adequately replicate outdoor running demands, and wearable sensors offer a means to overcome this clinical limitation. The purpose of this report is to describe five individual runners’ biomechanical outcomes during hill and track intervals, stroller running, and 5- and 21-K races using wearable sensors. Step rates and lengths increased while foot contact time decreased during sprints and 5-K race portions. Stroller running increased step rate, length, and pronation. Step length decreased and pronation and foot contact time increased over the 21-K race. Wearable sensors helped identify patterns in natural training environments as a basis for clinical application.