title: Comparison of plantar loads during running on different overground surfaces.
abstract: The objective of this study is to compare plantar loads during running on different overground surfaces. Fifteen heel-to-toe runners participated in the study. Plantar load data were collected and analyzed using an insole sensor system during running on concrete, synthetic rubber, and grass surfaces at a running speed of 3.8 m/s. Compared with running on concrete surface, running on natural grass showed a lower magnitude of maximum plantar pressure at the total foot (451.8 kPa vs. 401.7 kPa, p = 0.016), lateral midfoot (175.3 kPa vs. 148.0 kPa, p = 0.004), central forefoot (366.3 kPa vs. 336.8 kPa, p = 0.003), and lateral forefoot (290.2 kPa vs. 257.9 kPa, p = 0.004). Moreover, running on natural grass showed a longer relative contact time compared with running on a concrete surface at the central forefoot (81.9% vs. 78.8%, p = 0.017) and lateral forefoot (75.2% vs. 73.1%, p = 0.007). No significant difference was observed in other multiple comparisons. Different surfaces affected the plantar loads while running. The differences may help us to understand potential injury mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Youlian
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Jing-Xian
authors.initials: JX
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ji-He
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Zhou
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D006109:Poaceae; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D012408:Rubber; D012420:Running / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology*; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D012408:Rubber