title: Interaction effects of stride angle and strike pattern on running economy.
abstract: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between stride angle and running economy (RE) in athletes with different foot strike patterns. 30 male runners completed 4 min running stages on a treadmill at different velocities. During the test, biomechanical variables such as stride angle, swing time, contact time, stride length and frequency were recorded using an optical measurement system. Their foot strike pattern was determined, and VO2 at velocities below the lactate threshold were measured to calculate RE. Midfoot/forefoot strikers had better RE than rearfoot strikers (201.5±5.6 ml · kg(-1) · km(-1) vs. 213.5±4.2 ml · kg(-1) · km(-1)respectively; p=0.019). Additionally, midfoot/fore-foot strikers presented higher stride angles than rearfoot strikers (p=0.043). Linear modelling analysis showed that stride angle is closely related to RE (r=0.62, p<0.001) and that the effect of stride angle on RE was different in the 2 groups. From an arbitrary value of 4°, a rearfoot strike pattern is likely to be more economical, whereas at any lower degree, the midfoot/forefoot strike pattern appears to be more desirable. A biomechanical running technique characterised by high stride angles and a midfoot/forefoot strike pattern is advantageous for a better RE. Athletes may find stride angle useful for improving RE.
authors: UCT/MRC Research Unit for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Human Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Santos-Concejero
authors: UCT/MRC Research Unit for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Human Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Tam
authors: Physical Education and Sport, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Granados
authors: Physiology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Irazusta
authors: Physical Education and Sport, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Bidaurrazaga-Letona
authors: Physical Education and Sport, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Zabala-Lili
authors: Physical Education and Sport, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
authors: S M
authors: SM
authors: Gil
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015308:Anaerobic Threshold; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology*; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*