The main purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among Achilles tendon (AT) dimensions, ankle joint stiffness, and footfall patterns in recreational rearfoot and non-rearfoot runners. Based on the foot strike index, a total of 107 runners were divided into rearfoot (47 females/40 males) and non-rearfoot runners (14 females/6 males). All participants had theirs AT dimensions (AT length, AT thickness, and AT moment arm) measured using a combination of ultrasound and motion capture systems. In addition, all performed running trials measured at self-selected speed in laboratory-neutral shoes. A partial correlation coefficient was used for correlations between the selected variables. The results revealed a significant relationship between ankle joint stiffness and level of footfall pattern in rearfoot (r = 0.232, p = 0.032) and non-rearfoot runners (r = -0.811, p < 0.001). The results also suggest a relationship between AT thickness and foot strike index (r = -0.486) in non-rearfoot runners. Runners whose footfall pattern is closer to the heel have greater ankle joint stiffness. Non-rearfoot runners whose footfall pattern is closer to the toe have a thinner AT. Non-rearfoot runners with thicker AT had greater ankle joint stiffness.

• MeSH
• Achillova šlacha * diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• biomechanika MeSH
• dolní končetina MeSH
• kotník MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• noha (od hlezna dolů) MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

BACKGROUND: Although footstrike pattern (FP) may not be a factor influencing running performance, 11-75% of world-class distance runners use a non-rearfoot FP. However, little attention has been paid to describe the effect of running volume on FP changes when a runner is fatigued. RESEARCH QUESTION: Does the training volume provide an adequate stimulus to mitigate FP changes during an exhaustive run in non-rearfoot, habitual minimalist footwear runners? METHODS: The objective of this study was to compare FP between non-rearfoot, habitual minimalist footwear runners with a moderate training volume (MT) and a high training volume (HT) during an exhaustive run on a motorized treadmill. Based on their weekly training volume (distance), twenty-eight runners were arranged into two groups paired by height and age. At the first visit, runners underwent a VO2max test to acquire their velocity for the exhaustive run. During the second visit, biomechanical and physiological analysis of the beginning and the end phase of the exhaustive run was done. RESULTS: The frontal plane foot angle, the sagittal plane ankle angle at the initial contact (IC), and the foot eversion ROM showed a significant interaction effect (P < 0.05). Additionally, the sagittal plane footstrike angle, the frontal plane foot angle, the sagittal plane ankle angle, knee flexion angle at IC and foot eversion ROM showed a significant effect of fatigue (P < 0.05). Finally, the frontal plane foot angle, the sagittal plane footstrike angle, the sagittal plane ankle angle, and the knee flexion angle showed significant group effects (P < 0.05). SIGNIFICANCE: The training volume affects the footstrike pattern of non-rearfoot, habitual minimalist footwear runners when they are fatigued. The highly trained runners maintained their ankle angle throughout the exhaustive running protocol, whereas the moderately trained group changed the frontal and sagittal plane characteristics of their footstrike pattern.

• MeSH
• běh * MeSH
• biomechanika MeSH
• hlezenní kloub MeSH
• kotník MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• noha (od hlezna dolů) MeSH
• obuv MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH