HERMDAA COMPARISON OF CADENCE AND CENTER OF MASS DISPLACEMENT BETWEEN HEALTHY AND RECENTLY INJURED RECREATIONAL RUNNERS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare running cadence and the vertical center of mass (CoM) displacement between healthy and recently injured runners. An existing database was queried for recreational runners injured within the prior six weeks with limitation to their running participation (N=32) who were then matched with healthy runners (N=64). Cadence, CoM displacement, and lower extremity joint excursion assessed with 3D videography at self-selected speed were compared between groups using analyses of variance. CoM displacement was significantly reduced in recently injured runners (8.26±1.25cm vs 8.94±1.17cm, p=0.01); no other differences were found. Findings suggest an adaptation to reduce joint forces due to pain rather than a risk factor for injury; as such, this finding be relevant to injury prevention and rehabilitation.