Rearfoot kinematics in distance runners: association with overuse injuries

Abstract

Distance runners suffer often from overuse injures, caused by excessive pronation or supinating foot. The purpose of this study was to compare the rearfoot kinematics and the questionnaire results of incidences of overuse injuries symptoms. Fourteen distance runners, who were distributed into the more-symptomatic (MSL, n = 7) and less-symptomatic (LSL, n = 7) groups according to the questionnaire participated in this study. The subjects ran at average speed 3.79 m·s^–1 on the 5,8 m runway with four markers set on rearfoot and shank, and kinematics were determined using the motion analysis system with 6 and 8 cameras. For the rearfoot kinematics analysis the angles between calcaneus and shank in both legs were measured: angle at impact; maximum angle; the pronation amplitude; time from impact to maximum angle; time from maximum angle to toe-off supination. The pronation amplitude in the right foot was greater (p < 0.05) in MSL compared to LSL group (5.5º and 8.2º, respectively; p = 0.02). The other measured parameters did not differ significantly between the groups. We concluded that the variations in rearfoot kinematics cannot be the reasons for causing the symptoms of overuse and their origin should be searched from training errors.