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Mechanisms for regulating step length while running towards and over an obstacle.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Larsen, RJ; Jackson, WH; Schmitt, D
Published in: Human movement science
October 2016

The ability to run across uneven terrain with continuous stable movement is critical to the safety and efficiency of a runner. Successful step-to-step stabilization while running may be mediated by minor adjustments to a few key parameters (e.g., leg stiffness, step length, foot strike pattern). However, it is not known to what degree runners in relatively natural settings (e.g., trails, paved road, curbs) use the same strategies across multiple steps. This study investigates how three readily measurable running parameters - step length, foot placement, and foot strike pattern - are adjusted in response to encountering a typical urban obstacle - a sidewalk curb. Thirteen subjects were video-recorded as they ran at self-selected slow and fast paces. Runners targeted a specific distance before the curb for foot placement, and lengthened their step over the curb (p<0.0001) regardless of where the step over the curb was initiated. These strategies of adaptive locomotion disrupt step cycles temporarily, and may increase locomotor cost and muscle loading, but in the end assure dynamic stability and minimize the risk of injury over the duration of a run.

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Published In

Human movement science

DOI

EISSN

1872-7646

ISSN

0167-9457

Publication Date

October 2016

Volume

49

Start / End Page

186 / 195

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Video Recording
  • Surface Properties
  • Spatial Navigation
  • Running
  • Postural Balance
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Gait
  • Female
 

Citation

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Larsen, R. J., Jackson, W. H., & Schmitt, D. (2016). Mechanisms for regulating step length while running towards and over an obstacle. Human Movement Science, 49, 186–195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2016.07.002
Larsen, Roxanne J., William H. Jackson, and Daniel Schmitt. “Mechanisms for regulating step length while running towards and over an obstacle.Human Movement Science 49 (October 2016): 186–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2016.07.002.
Larsen RJ, Jackson WH, Schmitt D. Mechanisms for regulating step length while running towards and over an obstacle. Human movement science. 2016 Oct;49:186–95.
Larsen, Roxanne J., et al. “Mechanisms for regulating step length while running towards and over an obstacle.Human Movement Science, vol. 49, Oct. 2016, pp. 186–95. Epmc, doi:10.1016/j.humov.2016.07.002.
Larsen RJ, Jackson WH, Schmitt D. Mechanisms for regulating step length while running towards and over an obstacle. Human movement science. 2016 Oct;49:186–195.
Journal cover image

Published In

Human movement science

DOI

EISSN

1872-7646

ISSN

0167-9457

Publication Date

October 2016

Volume

49

Start / End Page

186 / 195

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Video Recording
  • Surface Properties
  • Spatial Navigation
  • Running
  • Postural Balance
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Gait
  • Female