Effect of footwear on muscular loading and energy demand during distance running

Shahin Ketabi

Publikation: Ph.d.-afhandling

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Abstract

The most popular activity around the world which involves the conversion of muscular forces into translocation through complex reciprocal movement patterns is running. Running economy is an important element of performance in distance running. A number of biomechanical parameters have been related to running economy and performance. Association of running mechanics with metabolic processes and economy is not well understood and very complex.
Footwear is typically a controlled variable with several design features which may influence economical running. Modifications to running shoes can be considered an obvious choice of modulating loading and with that running economy, performance and potentially overuse injuries. The muscular activations prior to touch-down are varied in response to changes in shoe construction, referred to as muscle tuning, possibly keeping the impact magnitude at an individually preferred level. The muscles around the knee and ankle joints may increase the joint stiffness, which appears to be related to better RE. Also the integration and timing of muscle activity to utilize the storage and release of elastic energy more effectively may lead to improvements in RE. It has been pointed out that substantially more elastic energy can be stored in in the muscle tendon unit of the triceps surae as compared to the energy return features found in footwear modifications.
This PhD thesis focuses on the effects of biomechanical parameters on running economy. Moreover, the effects of shoe inserts on calcaneal movement to affect energy stored in the ligaments and muscles of the foot and to modulate the energy storage and return mechanism of the triceps surae muscle group, muscle activity and running economy are investigated.
The results indicate that the energy consumption savings achieved by footwear most likely assist in improving RE by optimizing energy storage and return mechanisms within the biological system. Shoe-induced kinematic changes relate to overall metabolic cost where inserts can have the potential to regulate muscle activity and thus may affect running economy and muscle fatigue during prolonged runs. Footwear or insole interventions may alter gearing at the ankle joint and vertical force, and with that stretch in the Achilles tendon can be altered which potentially affects energy return within the musculoskeletal system. It is possible to relate gear ratio alterations to metabolic responses during a steady state treadmill run, however, the identified relationships are not direct as many factors need to be included.
OriginalsprogEngelsk
Udgiver
ISBN'er, elektronisk978-87-7112-330-2
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2016

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