Running intralimb coordination patterns after a foot core exercise program in recreational runners

Author(s)

E.Y. Suda ; M.F. Vieira ^[2] ; A.B. Matias ^[3] ; R.S. Gomide ^[4] ; I.C.N. Sacco ^[5]

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research; v. 57, 2024-01-22.

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of a foot core intervention on the coordination of foot joints in recreational runners. This was a secondary analysis from a randomized controlled trial conducted with 87 recreational runners allocated to the control group (CG), which followed a placebo lower limb stretching protocol, or the intervention group (IG), which underwent an 8-week (3 times/week) foot core training. The participants ran on a force-instrumented treadmill at a self-selected speed (9.5-10.5 km/h) while the foot segment motion was captured. The vector coding technique was used to assess inter-joint coordination for four selected coupled segment and joint angles. The coordination patterns of the calcaneus and midfoot (CalMid) and midfoot and metatarsus (MidMet) joint pairs were affected. In the frontal plane, IG showed an in-phase with proximal dominancy coordination at heel strike, with a decrease in its frequency after the training (P=0.018), suggesting a longer foot supination. Additionally, IG showed an anti-phase with distal dominancy pattern at early stance compared to CG due to a smaller but earlier inversion of the CalMid-MidMet pair (P=0.020). The intervention also had an effect on the transverse plane of the CalMid-MidMet pair, with IG showing a significantly greater frequency of anti-phase coordination with proximal dominancy during propulsion than CG (P=0.013), probably due to a reduction in the CalMid abduction. Overall, the results suggested that the foot core intervention reduces the occurrence of running-related injuries by increasing the resistance to calcaneus pronation and building a more rigid and efficient lever during push-off. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/14810-0 - Biomechanical and functional aspects of the musculoskeletal system of runners: chronic effects of therapeutic exercise and aging
• Grantee: Isabel de Camargo Neves Sacco
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/26844-1 - Running in minimal footwear, partial minimal and barefoot: joint kinetics and loading rates patterns
• Grantee: Alessandra Bento Matias
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 17/15449-4 - Biomechanical and functional aspects of the musculoskeletal system of runners: chronic effects of therapeutic exercise and aging
• Grantee: Eneida Yuri Suda
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 16/17077-4 - Effects of a foot and ankle complex strengthening program on the occurrence of injuries and biomechanics in long distance runners: a controlled, randomized clinical trial
• Grantee: Alessandra Bento Matias
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)