Biomechanics of Running Gait What do your shoes do for you? By: Shelby Hohnholt, Creighton Pearse, Heath Benker

Objectives: Explain what a gait analysis is Explain the different phases of the gait cycle Explain how the structure and build of different brands of shoes can affect your gait Help you decide if those expensive running shoes are really worth your money

General Running Facts Starting in the late 1960’s to early 1970’s, running recreationally began to blossom Approximately 30 million Americans run recreationally Each year 25% to 50% of all runners experience an injury that hinders their ability to practice or perform

What is a gait analysis? A gait analysis provides runners with essential information about their running style. Video gait analysis is most commonly used: Involves running for a few minutes on a treadmill while a video is made of the runner’s feet Can help identify certain movements which may be triggering injuries or affecting running efficiency

General Biomechanical Movements and Planes Sagittal Plane Stance Phase Hip Extension Knee Extension Plantar Flexion Swing Phase Hip Flexion Dorsiflexion Overpronation Feet roll inward too much Low arch or flat footed runners are susceptible to overpronation Supination (Underpronation) Feet don’t roll inward enough High arch runners are susceptible to supination Easy way to find out arch: place feet in water and step on cement and see the tracing of footprint

The Phases of the Gait Cycle: Stance Phase: accounts for 60% of the gait cycle Heel Contact Foot Flat Mid Stance Toe Off Swing Phase: accounts for 40% of the gait cycle Acceleration Mid Swing Deceleration

Stance Phase: Heel Contact Foot Flat Mid Stance Toe Off The point when the heel hits the floor Foot Flat The point where the whole of the foot comes into contact with the floor Mid Stance Where we are transferring weight from the back, to the front of our feet Toe Off Pushing off with the toes to propel forward

Swing Phase: Acceleration Mid-Swing Deceleration The period from toe off to maximum knee flexion in order for the foot to clear the ground Mid-Swing The period between maximum knee flexion and the forward movement of the tibia to a vertical position Deceleration The end of the swing phase before the heel strike

Mid-Stance: most susceptible phase for injury as body takes on full load on single leg. After pushoff in running you go into a float phase: both feet are off the ground

Muscles Involved Stance Phase: Heel Contact Phase Foot Flat Phase Gluteus Maximus Posterior capsule Tibialis anterior Foot Flat Phase Quadriceps femoris Mid Stance Gastronemius Toe Off Deep plantar-flexors flexors of toes instrinsic foot muscles Rectus femoris Swing Phase: Acceleration Phase/Mid- Swing Phase: Contralateral abductors of hip Iliopsoas Rectus femoris Deceleration Phase Hamstrings Quadriceps femoris Tibialis anterior

Are those expensive running shoes worth your money? How the structure and build of a shoe can affect your running gait, and how to decide what type of shoe is best suited for you.

Athlete Spec: Female Collegiate Runner 35+ miles per week Mild/Severe Overpronater History of Injuries (stress fractures in right and left feet, ITB syndrome, patellofemoral pain)

Saucony Hurricane 14: $75 10.4 oz Max support/cushioning shoe For Moderate/Severe Overpronation

Saucony Rear View Side View

Nike Dart 10: $65 8.6 oz Moderate cushioning For Neutral Gait Runner

Nike Rear View Side View Minimalist shoe, not meant for long mileage, replaced quicker, breaks down easier; harder impact—higher risk for injury

Asics GT 2000-2: $85 9.1 oz Maximum Support/Moderate Cushioning For Moderate Overpronation

Asics Rear View Side View , toe point outward

Brooks Transcend: $160 9.3 oz Max Stability/Moderate Cushioning Medial/Lateral side support to allow hip, knee, and joints to move within respective motion path Curved heels shift you forward for a more aligned stride

Brooks Rear View Side View Flat footed landing, more force on gastronemius muscle

Summary: Most expensive shoe isn’t necessarily the best shoe for you Best way to figure out your shoe type: Find your arch type Gait analysis (free at many running stores) Don’t get lost in the descriptions of shoes Online Shopping-BEWARE

Resources: Asmussen, E. (1978). International Series on Biomechanics (Vol. 2A). Baltimore, Maryland: University Park Press. Dungan, S., & Bhat, K. (2005, January 1). Biomechanics and Analysis of Running Gait. Retrieved December 7, 2014, from http://www.med.nyu.edu/pmr/residency/resources/Clinics_sports med/running biomech_PMR clinics.pdf LEARNING CENTER: HOW TO. (n.d.). Retrieved December 7, 2014, from http://www.runningwarehouse.com/learningcenter/pronationfaq.html Lohman III, E. (2012, September 1). Effects of minimalist shoes on running gait. Retrieved December 7, 2014, from http://lermagazine.com/article/effects-of-minimalist-shoes-on-running-gait Gait Analysis. (n.d.). Retrieved December 7, 2014, from http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/sports- specific/running-injuries/gait-analysis Goss, D., & Gross, M. (2012, July 1). A Review of Mechanics and Injury Trends Among Various Running Styles. Retrieved December 7, 2014, from http://web.b.ebscohost.com.vproxy.cune.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=5fcc3ef3-2801-4253-b7ef- 9a730dc4e2cc@sessionmgr114&vid=12&hid=109 Kerrigan, C., Franz, J., Keenan, G., Dicharry, J., & Wilder, R. (2009, January 1). The Effect of Running Shoes on Lower Extremity Joint Torques. Retrieved December 7, 2014, from http://www.pmrjournal.org/article/S1934-1482(09)01367-7/pdf Novacheck, T. (1998, January 1). Biomechanics of Running. Retrieved December 7, 2014, from http://www.elitetrack.com/article_files/biomechanicsofrunning.pdf Soutas-Little, R. (n.d.). Motion Analysis and Biomechanics. Retrieved December 7, 2014, from http://www.rehab.research.va.gov/mono/gait/soutas-little.pdf Shoe Tips from Asics. (n.d.). Retrieved December 7, 2014, from http://www.triseries.kiwi/About/Helpful_Tips/Shoe_Tips_from_Asics.htm