Setting standards for medically-based running analysis

Abstract

Setting standards for medically based running analyses is necessary to ensure that runners receive a high-quality service from practitioners. Medical and training history, physical and functional tests, and motion analysis of running at self-selected and faster speeds are key features of a comprehensive analysis. Self-reported history and movement symmetry are critical factors that require follow-up therapy or long-term management. Pain or injury is typically the result of a functional deficit above or below the site along the kinematic chain.

Figure 1

A. Biomechanical testing setup for a running analysis: a force plated treadmill with a subset of seven cameras. Cameras are represented by rectangular prism shapes. The red arrow indicates the ground reaction force vector, and the stick figure is generated by marker system and digitizing. The force and kinematic data are synchronized by the capture and analysis software. B. A commercial treadmill testing setup in which the deck feet are placed over two force plates embedded in the floor. A 12-camera system is shown here, and cameras are represented by rectangular prism shapes. The ground reaction force vector arrows indicate the time of foot contact that can be synchronized with the kinematic data. For both setups, a reference camera is used to document the testing session.

Figure 2

A–F. Key points to compare during a typical gait cycle. A recreational male runner is shown a sample interpretation of the running form from a high-speed film capture. Arrows represent key issues to review in the still images. The trailing leg is defined as the leg behind the center of mass. Sagittal view, foot contact: foot strike pattern, knee bend, distance between knees, and trunk lean. Sagittal view, midstance phase: trailing leg lift, supporting leg knee bend. Sagittal view, toe off: distance the trailing leg remains on the treadmill belt, trailing leg knee bend. Posterior view, foot contact: crossover of trailing leg compared to the midline of the body, supporting foot toe-out angle. Posterior view, midstance phase: pelvic drop, knee angles, and time the trailing foot remains on the treadmill belt. Posterior view, toe off: symmetry of motion of hips compared to beginning of gait cycle, symmetry of arm motion.