title: Gait Asymmetry During 400- to 1000-m High-Intensity Track Running in Relation to Injury History.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To quantify gait asymmetry in well-trained runners with and without previous injuries during interval training sessions incorporating different distances.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve well-trained runners participated in 8 high-intensity interval-training sessions on a synthetic track over a 4-wk period. The training consisted of 10 × 400, 8 × 600, 7 × 800, and 6 × 1000-m running. Using an inertial measurement unit, the ground-contact time (GCT) of every step was recorded. To determine gait asymmetry, the GCTs between the left and right foot were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, gait asymmetry was 3.3% ± 1.4%, and over the course of a training session, the gait asymmetry did not change (F1,33= 1.673, P = .205). The gait asymmetry of the athletes with a previous history of injury was significantly greater than that of the athletes without a previous injury. However, this injury-related enlarged asymmetry was detectable only at short (400 m), but not at longer, distances (600-1000 m).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The gait asymmetry of well-trained athletes differed, depending on their history of injury and the running distance. To detect gait asymmetries, high-intensity runs over relatively short distances are recommended.
authors.forename: Rahel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gilgen-Ammann
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Taube
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wyss
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012420:Running
keywords: fatigue; field condition; high performance; imbalance; inertial measurement unit