Pattern Comparison of 3D Lower Limb Kinematics During Overground and Treadmill Running

Abstract

Running gait analyses are performed utilizing both treadmill (TM) and overground (OG) running modes. Previous studies, which examined 2D knee and rearfoot motion suggest similar mechanics between OG and TM. However, no studies have compared 3D kinematic patterns of the hip, knee and rearfoot between both modes of running. PURPOSE: To compared 3D kinematic patterns of the hip, knee and rearfoot between overground and treadmill running. METHODS: We utilized a VICON motion analysis system to collect five trials each of OG and TM running at 3.35 m/s for five recreational runners. The subjects (aged 31.8 ± 7.1 years) ran at least 10 miles/week. Kinematic patterns of the right lower limb were compared utilizing the methods of Trend Symmetry yielding three, separate symmetry values. Trend similarity, a measure of the waveform similarity, ranges from 0-1.0, with 1.0 indicating the patterns are identical. Range offset is a measure of the mean difference between curves. It is calculated by subtracting the AVG OG value from the AVG TM value, with zero indicating similar curves. Range amplitude, a measure of relative excursions, is the ratio of TM excursion to OG excursion. A value of one indicates identical excursions. RESULTS: Trend Symmetry values ranged from 0.83 to 1.0 (Table 1). Range offsets varied from −2.1 to +1.8 degrees. Range amplitude varied from 0.8 to1.4. The sagittal plane motions exhibited the most similarity. The greatest differences occurred in the hip frontal plane for all three measures.Table 1: Variables of InterestCONCLUSION: These results indicate that, on average, kinematic patterns in treadmill and overground running are very similar. These preliminary results may be further verified as additional subjects are collected.