COACHING ADVICE THAT REDUCES LOADS ASSOCIATED WITH BIOMECHANICAL PREDICTORS OF ILIOTIBIAL BAND SYNDROME

Abstract

It has been previously described that the normalized hip adduction moment correlates significantly with the risk of developing iliotibial band syndrome. To advance this research we developed coaching advice that would result in reducing the peak hip adduction moment. Five marathon runners were assessed to determine their normal kinematic and kinetics while running. Runners were then coached to run their normal speed but while lowering their upper bodies by ~1 inch (2.54cm). The runners reduced their peak adduction moments by 21.8% (p<0.05), while their speeds did not change significantly. This advice also produced a significant increase in knee flexion angle at ground contact (8.6° to 18.7° p<0.01). Another positive result of this coaching advice was the significant reduction in three peak normalized ground reaction forces: braking (3.2%BW), vertical (24.1%BW), and resultant (24.0%BW).