Article

Running biomechanics has received increasing interest in recent literature on
running-related injuries, calling for new, portable methods for large-scale
measurements. Our aims were to define running strike pattern based on output of a
new pressure-sensitive measurement device, the Runalyser, and to test its
validity regarding temporal parameters describing running gait. Furthermore,
reliability of the Runalyser measurements was evaluated, as well as its ability
to discriminate different running styles. Thirty-one healthy participants (30.3
+/- 7.4 years, 1.78 +/- 0.10 m and 74.1 +/- 12.1 kg) were involved in the
different study parts. Eleven participants were instructed to use a rearfoot
(RFS), midfoot (MFS) and forefoot (FFS) strike pattern while running on a
treadmill. Strike pattern was subsequently defined using a linear regression
(R(2)=0.89) between foot strike angle, as determined by motion analysis (1000
Hz), and strike index (SI, point of contact on the foot sole, as a percentage of
foot sole length), as measured by the Runalyser. MFS was defined by the 95%
confidence interval of the intercept (SI=43.9-49.1%). High agreement (overall
mean difference 1.2%) was found between stance time, flight time, stride time and
duty factor as determined by the Runalyser and a force-measuring treadmill (n=16
participants). Measurements of the two devices were highly correlated (R >/=
0.80) and not significantly different. Test-retest intra-class correlation
coefficients for all parameters were >/= 0.94 (n=14 participants). Significant
differences (p<0.05) between FFS, RFS and habitual running were detected
regarding SI, stance time and stride time (n=24 participants).
The Runalyser is suitable for, and easily applicable in large-scale studies on running
biomechanics.
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