Abstract
PURPOSE: Aging runners demonstrate marked differences in running biomechanics. Few studies have considered age as a continuous variable when assessing running biomechanics. Females demonstrate a more rapid decline in physical function than males in middle age, therefore it is important to consider separate-sex analyses. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between age and velocity, stride length, and stride rate specifically in female runners at jogging (JOG) and maximum (MAX) speeds. Running studies typically include a self-selected or controlled pace, but maximum running speed is rarely considered. METHODS: 46 female participants (ages 18-65) ran at their self-selected JOG (long distance) and MAX (maximal running) pace on a treadmill. Running velocity was recorded and stride length and rate were measured. Simple linear regression was used to assess the relationship between age and each variable for both JOG and MAX speeds. RESULTS: For the JOG condition, there was a significant negative correlation between age and stride length, but not for age with velocity or stride rate (Figure 1). For the MAX condition, there were significant negative correlations of age with velocity and stride length, but not stride rate. Youngest runners ran significantly faster (ages 18-28, n = 13) at JOG (p = .037) and MAX speeds (p < .001), and had longer stride lengths (JOG: p = .037, MAX = p < .001) than the oldest runners (ages 50-65, n = 11). CONCLUSIONS: Female runners demonstrate decreased maximum running speed with age, primarily as a result of decreased stride length. In the literature, decreased stride length and running velocity have been associated with decreased horizontal propulsive effort and decreased ankle muscle function in the aging runner. Including maximum running speeds in analyses may be important, as this appears to be a more sensitive measure of the changes in spatiotemporal variables associated with age.
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