Assessing spring-mass similarity in elite and recreational runners
The dynamic complexity and individualization of running biomechanics has challenged the development of objective and comparative gait measures. Here, we present and explore several novel biomechanical metrics for running that are informed by a canonical inter-species gait template–the spring-mass mo...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-09-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Physiology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2023.1224459/full |
| _version_ | 1797729276437463040 |
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| author | Geoffrey T. Burns Nicholas Tam Nicholas Tam Jordan Santos-Concejero Jordan Santos-Concejero Ross Tucker Ross Tucker Ronald F. Zernicke Ronald F. Zernicke Ronald F. Zernicke |
| author_facet | Geoffrey T. Burns Nicholas Tam Nicholas Tam Jordan Santos-Concejero Jordan Santos-Concejero Ross Tucker Ross Tucker Ronald F. Zernicke Ronald F. Zernicke Ronald F. Zernicke |
| author_sort | Geoffrey T. Burns |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The dynamic complexity and individualization of running biomechanics has challenged the development of objective and comparative gait measures. Here, we present and explore several novel biomechanical metrics for running that are informed by a canonical inter-species gait template–the spring-mass model. The measures assess running mechanics systemically against the template via quantifying characteristics of a runner’s kinetics relative to the energy-conserving elastic system–i.e., their “spring-mass similarity”. Applying these metrics in a retrospective cohort investigation, we studied the overground kinetics of two heterogenous populations of runners in two footwear conditions: elite and recreational athletes in shod and barefoot conditions. Across all measures and within foot strike types, the elite runners exhibited mechanics that were more similar to those of the ideally elastic spring-mass template. The elite runners had more symmetric bounces, less discrepancy (i.e., greater coordination) between horizontal and vertical kinetic changes, and better fit to a spring-mass vertical ground reaction force time series. Barefoot running elicited greater kinetic coordination in the recreational runners. At a faster speed, the elites further improved their similarity to the template. Overall, the more economical elite group exhibited greater likeness to the linearly elastic, energy-conserving spring-mass system than their recreational counterparts. This study introduces novel biomechanical measures related to performance in distance running. More broadly, it provides new, approachable metrics for systemic quantification of gait biomechanics in runners across all demographics. These metrics may be applied to assess a runner’s global biomechanical response to a variety of interventions, including training adaptations, rehabilitation programs, and footwear conditions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T11:26:50Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-06b90de0b9d54abc99c7ba6ed880e69e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-042X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T11:26:50Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Physiology |
| spelling | doaj.art-06b90de0b9d54abc99c7ba6ed880e69e2023-09-01T07:04:03ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Physiology1664-042X2023-09-011410.3389/fphys.2023.12244591224459Assessing spring-mass similarity in elite and recreational runnersGeoffrey T. Burns0Nicholas Tam1Nicholas Tam2Jordan Santos-Concejero3Jordan Santos-Concejero4Ross Tucker5Ross Tucker6Ronald F. Zernicke7Ronald F. Zernicke8Ronald F. Zernicke9School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United StatesDivision for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South AfricaDepartment of Physiology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, SpainDivision for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South AfricaDepartment of Physical Education and Sport, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Vitoria-Gasteiz, SpainDivision for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South AfricaWorld Rugby, Dublin, IrelandSchool of Kinesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United StatesDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United StatesDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United StatesThe dynamic complexity and individualization of running biomechanics has challenged the development of objective and comparative gait measures. Here, we present and explore several novel biomechanical metrics for running that are informed by a canonical inter-species gait template–the spring-mass model. The measures assess running mechanics systemically against the template via quantifying characteristics of a runner’s kinetics relative to the energy-conserving elastic system–i.e., their “spring-mass similarity”. Applying these metrics in a retrospective cohort investigation, we studied the overground kinetics of two heterogenous populations of runners in two footwear conditions: elite and recreational athletes in shod and barefoot conditions. Across all measures and within foot strike types, the elite runners exhibited mechanics that were more similar to those of the ideally elastic spring-mass template. The elite runners had more symmetric bounces, less discrepancy (i.e., greater coordination) between horizontal and vertical kinetic changes, and better fit to a spring-mass vertical ground reaction force time series. Barefoot running elicited greater kinetic coordination in the recreational runners. At a faster speed, the elites further improved their similarity to the template. Overall, the more economical elite group exhibited greater likeness to the linearly elastic, energy-conserving spring-mass system than their recreational counterparts. This study introduces novel biomechanical measures related to performance in distance running. More broadly, it provides new, approachable metrics for systemic quantification of gait biomechanics in runners across all demographics. These metrics may be applied to assess a runner’s global biomechanical response to a variety of interventions, including training adaptations, rehabilitation programs, and footwear conditions.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2023.1224459/fullbiomechanicsdistancerunninggaitstiffnessfootwear |
| spellingShingle | Geoffrey T. Burns Nicholas Tam Nicholas Tam Jordan Santos-Concejero Jordan Santos-Concejero Ross Tucker Ross Tucker Ronald F. Zernicke Ronald F. Zernicke Ronald F. Zernicke Assessing spring-mass similarity in elite and recreational runners Frontiers in Physiology biomechanics distance running gait stiffness footwear |
| title | Assessing spring-mass similarity in elite and recreational runners |
| title_full | Assessing spring-mass similarity in elite and recreational runners |
| title_fullStr | Assessing spring-mass similarity in elite and recreational runners |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessing spring-mass similarity in elite and recreational runners |
| title_short | Assessing spring-mass similarity in elite and recreational runners |
| title_sort | assessing spring mass similarity in elite and recreational runners |
| topic | biomechanics distance running gait stiffness footwear |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2023.1224459/full |
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