Years of running experience influences stride-to-stride fluctuations and adaptive response during step frequency perturbations in healthy distance runners.
Cristine E Agresta, Grant C Goulet, Jillian Peacock and 3 others
PMID 30959429WHAT IT FOUND
Enforced step frequencies did not produce a clear change in the main measure of step-to-step pattern.
The most experienced runners had a different baseline step-to-step pattern and returned to preferred step frequency faster. No injury outcome was tested.
Key findings
01The main outcome measures, alpha values for step rate and contact time, did not change significantly with the step-frequency perturbation.
02Runners with 10 or more years of running experience had lower baseline step-rate alpha than novice and intermediate runners.
03The most experienced runners returned to preferred step frequency faster than novice runners, but not faster than intermediate runners.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
Two participants were excluded from analysis because they did not meet the running volume criterion. The runners were healthy and had no musculoskeletal injury for 12 months before testing, so the results do not describe injured patients. Experience was defined by years running, not by measured skill, and there was large variability within groups. Group sizes were small, making it difficult to account for multiple covariates. Metronome start and stop times were not randomized, so runners may have anticipated changes. No injury outcomes were measured, so injury-risk interpretations are not tested.
Declared interests
The authors reported no conflict of interest. The supplied text does not state a funding source.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read the experience differences as proof that running experience prevents injury. The study did not measure injury, and the main stride-pattern effect was not significant.