Running Footwear and Impact Peak Differences in Recreational Runners

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Running is a physical activity practiced by many people to maintain good levels of movement. Recreational runners commonly strike the ground with the postero–lateral zone of the foot, which may be associated with a higher biomechanical load on the lower limb, called impact peak. Different running shoes with specific cushioning are available to overcome the biomechanical load, e.g., shoes with a thickness difference between the forefoot and heel parts of the sole, called heel-to-toe drop. Analyzing the running pattern of recreational runners may be challenging because biomechanics laboratories mainly analyze these characteristics in individuals with visible alterations. To overcome these limitations, we employed a 3D markerless system; furthermore, we investigated footwear use. These parameters were studied to understand the behavior of those runners with and without a higher impact peak. Thirty participants underwent a running analysis and a questionnaire about their footwear. The study’s main finding highlighted kinematic and spatiotemporal differences between the runners presenting a higher impact peak and those without it. Furthermore, we observed that runners without an impact peak prefer shoes with a lower heel-to-toe drop, while the other group prefers shoes with a higher heel-to-toe drop. Investigating biomechanics characteristics is essential to reduce possible injury. ABSTRACT: Running is a physical activity and the investigation of its biomechanical aspects is crucial both to avoid injuries and enhance performance. Recreational runners may be liable to increased stress over the body, particularly to lower limb joints. This study investigates the different running patterns of recreational runners by analyzing characteristics of the footwear impact peak, spatiotemporal, and kinematic parameters among those that present with a peak impact and those that do not, with a 3D markerless system. Thirty recreational runners were divided into two groups: impact peak group (IP) (n = 16) and no impact peak group (n = 14) (n-IP). Kinematic and spatiotemporal parameters showed a large Cohen’s d effect size between the groups. The mean hip flexion was IP 40.40° versus n-IP 32.30° (d = −0.82). Hip extension was IP 30.20° versus n-IP 27.70° (d = −0.58), and ankle dorsiflexion was IP 20.80°, versus n-IP 13.37° (d = −1.17). Stride length was IP 117.90 cm versus n-IP 105.50 cm (d = −0.84). Steps per minute was IP group 170 spm, versus n-IP 163 spm (d = −0.51). The heel-to-toe drop was mainly 10–12 mm for the IP group and 4–6 mm for the n-IP group. Recreational runners whose hip extension is around 40°, ankle dorsiflexion around 20°, and initial foot contact around 14°, may be predisposed to the presence of an impact peak.