SYMMETRY AND REPRODUCIBILITY OF KINEMATIC PARAMETERS DURING VARIOUS RUNNING TECHNIQUES

Authors

  • Kiros Karamanidis
  • Adamantios Arampatzis
  • Gert-Peter Brüggemann

Keywords:

biomechanics, repeatability, symmetry index, stride length, treadmill

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the reproducibility and the symmetry of a wide number of kinematic parameters while running with various running techniques. Each of twelve tested persons ran on a treadmill in combinations of three velocities (2.5, 3.0 and 3.5m/s) and three stride frequencies (preferred. +/-10% from preferred). Three cycles were recorded for each running task using a video camera (250 Hz) at each side of the body. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC generally> 0.80 ) for both legs were high. Only the angular velocity parameters demonstrated low reproducibility (ICC < 0.75). Significant (P <0.05) differences often appeared between the cycles of the 1st and 3rd or 1st and 5th minutes, but seldom between those of the 3rd & 5th minutes. The absolute symmetry Index (ASI) for the linear and angular displacement parameters and the contact time during all running techniques were low « 8%), while those for the angular velocity and flight time were clearly higher (> 10%).

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