Changes in segment coordination variability and the impacts of the lower limb across running mileages in half marathons:Implications for running injuries

Background:Segment coordination variability(CV)is a movement pattern associated with running-related injuries.It can also be adversely affected by a prolonged run.However,research on this topic is currently limited.The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a prolonged run on segment CV and vertical loading rates during a treadmill half marathon.Methods:Fifteen healthy runners ran a half marathon on an instrumental treadmill in a biomechanical laboratory.Synchronized kinematic and kinetic data were collected every 2 km(from 2 km until 20 km),and the data were processed by musculoskeletal modeling.Segment CVs were computed from the angle-angle plots of selected pelvis-thigh,thigh-shank,and shank-rearfoot couplings using a modified vector coding technique.The loading rate of vertical ground reaction force was also calculated.A one-way MANOVA with repeated measures was performed on each of the outcome variables to examine the main effect of running mileage.Results:Significant effects of running mileage were found on segment CVs(p≤0.010)but not on loading rate(p=0.881).Notably,during the early stance phase,the CV of pelvis frontal thigh frontal was significantly increased at 20 km compared with the CV at 8 km(g=0.59,p=0.022).The CV of shank transverse vs.rearfoot frontal decreased from 2 km to 8 km(g=0.30,p=0.020)but then significantly increased at both 18 km(g=0.05,p<0.001)and 20 km(g=0.36,p<0.001).Conclusion:At the early stance,runners maintained stable CVs on the sagittal plane,which could explain the unchanged loading rate throughout the half marathon.However,increased CVs on the frontal/transverse plane may be an early sign of fatigue and indicative of possible injury risk.Further studies are necessary for conclusive statements in this regard.

The effect of minimal shoes on arch structure and intrinsic foot muscle strength

Background:This prospective study explored the effects of endurance running(ER) in minimal versus standard running shoes on the foot’s superficial layer intrinsic muscles and the function of the longitudinal arch.Our hypothesis was that running in minimal shoes would cause hypertrophy in these muscles and lead to higher,stronger,stiffer arches.Methods:The hypothesis was tested using a sample of 33 healthy runners randomized into two groups,a control group shod in traditional running footwear and an experimental group shod in minimal support footwear,whose feet were scanned in an MRI before and after a 12-week training regime.Running kinematics as well as arch stiffness and height were also assessed before and after the treatment period.Results:Analysis of anatomical cross-sectional areas and muscle volumes indicate that the flexor digitomm brevis muscle became larger in both groups by 11%and 21%,respectively,but only the minimally shod runners had significant areal and volumetric increases of the abductor digiti minimi of 18%and 22%,respectively,and significantly increased longitudinal arch stiffness(60%).Conclusion:These results suggest that endurance running in minimal support footwear with 4 mm offset or less makes greater use of the springlike function of the longitudinal arch,thus leading to greater demands on the intrinsic muscles that support the arch,thereby strengthening the foot.

The effect of flutamide on the physical working capacity and activity of some of the key enzymes for the energy supply in adult rats

The aim of the study was to assess the effects of androgen receptor antagonists on the physical working capacity and activity of some of the key muscle enzymes for the energy supply in rats. Young adult male Wistar rats were divided into two groups. One group received 15 mg kg-1 of flutamide daily for 6 days a week and the other group served as control for 8 weeks. At the beginning and at the end of the experiment, all rats were subjected to submaximal running endurance （SRE）, maximum time to exhaustion （MTE）, and maximal sprinting speed （MSS） tests. At the end of the trial, maximum oxygen consumption （VO2max） test was performed and the levels of testosterone, erythrocytes, hemoglobin as well as enzyme activity of succinate dehydrogenase （SDH）, lactate dehydrogenase （LDH）, and NAD.H2-cytochrome-c reductase （NAD.H2） of the gastrocnemius muscle were measured. Serum testosterone of the flutamide-treated rats was higher than that of the controls, which verifies the effectiveness of the dose chosen. MTE and SRE of the anti-androgen-treated group were lower compared with the initial values. Flutamide treatment decreased the activity of SDH and NAD.H2 compared with the controls. We found no effect of the anti-androgen treatment on MSS, VO2max, running economy, LDH activity, and hematological variables. Our findings indicate that the maintenance of the submaximal and maximal running endurance as well as the activity of some of the key enzymes associated with muscle oxidative capacity is connected with androgen effects mediated by androgen receptors.