Abstract
Purpose To explore the changes in knee sagittal angle and moment and patellofemoral joint (PFJ) force and stress before and after 12-week gait retraining. Methods A total of 30 healthy male recreational runners were randomized into a control group (n = 15) who ran in their original strike pattern using minimalist shoes or experimental group (n = 15) who ran in a forefoot strike pattern using minimalist shoes during the 12-week gait retraining. The kinematic and kinetic data of the dominant leg of the participants during the 12 km/h running were collected by 3D motion capture systems and 3D force platforms. Besides, the biomechanical property of the PFJ was calculated on the basis of the joint force model and the regression equation of the contact area. Results After the 12-week gait retraining, 78% of the rearfoot strikers turned into forefoot strikers. Peak knee extension moment and peak PFJ stress decreased by 13.8% and 13.3% without altering the running speed, respectively. Meanwhile, no changes in maximum knee flexion angle/extension moment and PFJ force/stress were observed for the control group. Conclusion The 12-week gait retraining effectively reduced the PFJ stress, thereby providing a potential means of reducing the risk of patellofemoral pain syndrome while running.
Highlights
Running is a popular and prevalent way of exercising [1, 2]
Among related injuries (RRI), those related to the knee had the highest ratio at 28%; in particular, patellofemoral joint pain accounted for the highest proportion (17%) of the specific pathologies of injury [5]
This study was mainly aimed at exploring the effects of different strike patterns on the mechanism of the patellofemoral joint to provide an effective means of preventing patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) through the 12-week gait retraining
Summary
Running is a popular and prevalent way of exercising [1, 2]. In the United States alone, almost 60 million people participated in jogging, running, and trail running in 2017 [3]. Running-related injuries (RRI) have attracted the attention of researchers because of the increasing number of runners. Previous studies reported that RRI accounted for 40% of injuries caused by exercise [4]. Among RRI, those related to the knee had the highest ratio at 28%; in particular, patellofemoral joint pain accounted for the highest proportion (17%) of the specific pathologies of injury [5]. High patellofemoral joint stress, overuse, trauma, decreased elasticity in quadriceps femoris, limited motion of the patella, and contracture of the patellofemoral lateral supporting band are regarded as the main causes of patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) [6, 7]. PFPS caused by running is mainly triggered by the interaction of increased patellofemoral joint stress and weak strength of the lower extremity muscles. The important factor of developing stress on the patellofemoral joint may be neglected when only muscle strength is increased
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