Segment Coordination Variability Differs by Years of Running Experience

Running is a popular activity that results in high rates of overuse injury, with less-experienced runners becoming injured at higher rates than their more-experienced peers. While measures of joint kinematics and kinetics and ground reaction forces have been associated with overuse running injuries, similar differences across levels of running experience have not been found. As running is a motor skill that may develop with experience, an analysis of segment coordination and its variability could provide additional insight into why injury incidence decreases with increasing experience. Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine if less-experienced runners have different segment coordination and lower segment coordination variability compared to their more-experienced peers. Methods This retrospective analysis included 20 more-experienced (≥10 years running) and 21 less-experienced (≤2 years running) runners. Sagittal thigh vs. shank and shank vs. foot segment coordination and coordination variability were calculated using a modified vector coding approach as individuals ran on a treadmill at preferred pace. Coordination and its variability were compared between groups during terminal swing and early, mid, and late stance for both segment couples. Results Segment coordination was similar between less- and more-experienced runners. Less-experienced runners had lower segment coordination variability compared to more-experienced runners for both the thigh vs. shank and shank vs. foot couples. This lower variability occurred during early and mid stance. Conclusion Runners appeared to attain stable segment coordination patterns within 2 years of consistent running, but had lower coordination variability compared to individuals who had been running for 10 or more years. These results suggest that assessment of movement patterns and their flexibility may help inform injury prevention or treatment strategies for less-experienced runners. Corresponding author contact: Jocelyn F. Hafer, PhD, University of Michigan, Michigan Performance Research Laboratory, CCRB 1213, 401 Washtenaw Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2214. 734-647-0284. johafer@umich.edu This work was funded, in part, by the Michigan Institute for Clinical Health Research grant UL1TR000433. Conflict of Interest. The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose. The results of the present study do not constitute endorsement by ACSM. The results of the study are presented clearly, honestly, and without fabrication, falsification, or inappropriate data manipulation. Accepted for publication: 22 January 2019. © 2019 American College of Sports Medicine

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