{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Gait signatures of endurance runners with low back pain: A case controlled cross sectional study.
{Author}: Drozda D;Thompson Z;Vincent KR;Nixon RM;Bolling J;Vincent HK;
{Journal}: Gait Posture
{Volume}: 113
{Issue}: 0
{Year}: 2024 Jun 19
{Factor}: 2.746
{DOI}: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2024.06.015
{Abstract}: <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Low back pain (LBP) is an understudied condition among runners, and it is unclear what biomechanical features could be targeted for gait retraining to mitigate pain.<BR><B>OBJECTIVE: </B>How do running biomechanics differ between healthy individuals and those with running-related LBP?<BR><B>METHODS: </B>This was a case-controlled, comparative study design of community runners: running-related LBP (n=52) and healthy controls (n=52). All runners completed running history forms and performed a 3-dimensional gait analysis. Kinematic data were collected using a motion capture system and normalized to a gait cycle, while participants ran on a level grade at self-selected speed on an instrumented treadmill. Current running volume, temporal-spatial, kinetic and kinematic features were compared between groups.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>The LBP group had 39.5 % lower weekly distance and 15.4 % fewer were currently training for a race (all p<.05). Runners with LBP demonstrated lower cadence (166±10 step/min vs. 171±9 step/min; p=.05), greater center of gravity lateral displacement (1.4±0.5 cm vs. 1.2 ±.3 cm; p=.044) and greater stride width variability (1.3±0.4 cm versus 1.0 ± 0.04 cm; p=.008). Runners with LBP had a greater Vertical Average Loading Rate ([VALR] 67.7±22.2 bodyweights [BW]/s vs. 62.2±21.5 BW/s; p=.022), and higher joint moments (N*m/(kg*m)) at the knee in the sagittal plane (2.13±0.50 vs. 1.87±0.56; p <.001), frontal plane (1.44±0.39 vs. 1.29±0.29; p=.013), and at the hip in the frontal plane (2.04±0.51 vs. 1.84±0.41; p=.024). No differences were found between groups in the pelvis, hip, knee, and ankle joint excursions in any plane of motion during a typical gait cycle.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>These collective motion signature may reflect challenges with control of motion and VALR in the presence of back pain. Cadence training to increase step rate, coupled with core/hip muscle activation, may be an important strategy to reduce motion variability, impact loading rate and pain symptoms while running.