How do spatiotemporal parameters and lower-body stiffness change with increased running velocity? a comparison between novice and elite level runners
Date
2019-11Author
García Pinillos, Felipe
García Ramos, Amador
Ramírez Campillo, Rodrigo
Latorre Román, Pedro Á.
Roche Seruendo, Luis E.
Publisher
Polish Academy of ScienceDescription
Artículo de publicación ISIMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
This study aimed to examine the effect of running velocity on spatiotemporal parameters and lower-body
stiffness of endurance runners, and the influence of the performance level on those adaptations. Twenty-two male
runners (novice [NR], n = 12, and elite runners [ER], n = 10) performed an incremental running test with a total of 5
different running velocities (10, 12, 14, 16, 18 km/h). Each condition lasted 1 min (30 s acclimatization period, and 30 s
recording period). Spatiotemporal parameters were measured using the OptoGait system. Vertical (Kvert) and leg
(Kleg) stiffness were calculated according to the sine-wave method. A repeated measures ANOVA (2 x 5, group x
velocities) revealed significant adaptations (p < 0.05) to increased velocity in all spatiotemporal parameters and Kvert in
both NR and ER. ER showed a greater flight time (FT) and step angle (at 18 km/h) (p < 0.05), longer step length (SL)
and lower step frequency (SF) (p < 0.05), whereas no between-group differences were found in contact time (CT) nor in
the sub-phases during CT at any speed (p ≥ 0.05). ER also showed lower Kvert values at every running velocity (p <
0.05), and no differences in Kleg (p ≥ 0.05). In conclusion, lower SF and Kvert and, thereby, longer FT and SL, seem to
be the main spatiotemporal characteristics of high-level runners compared to their low-level counterparts.