ALTERATIONS IN JOINT KINEMATICS AND KINETICS DURING DOWNHILL RUNNING

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to find how joint kinematics and kinetics during downhill running change compared to level running. Fifteen recreational runners ran on a force plate imbedded treadmill with three different slopes (0 º, -6º, and -9º) at a controlled speed of 3.2 m/s. Ten steps on each slope were selected for analysis. Increased knee flexion with decreased ankle plantar-flexion and hip flexion was found during downhill running compared to level running. Decreased peak propulsive ground reaction force and posterior impulse were found during downhill running compared to level running. Additionally, increased extension moment with increased negative joint power at the knee and decreased plantar-flexion moment with decreased negative joint power at the ankle were found during downhill running compared to level running.