Optimizing Running Mechanics, Effects of Cadence, Footwear, and Orthoses on Force Distribution: A Quasi-Experimental Study
<b>Background</b>: Running is a popular physical activity known for its health benefits but also for a high incidence of lower-limb injuries. This study examined the effects of three biomechanical interventions—cadence adjustments, footwear modifications, and foot orthoses—on plantar pre...
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/10/1/89 |
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| author | Marie Adelaide Nicolas-Peyrot Yves Lescure Eleonore Perrin Magdalena Martinez-Rico Corentin Travouillon Gabriel Gijon-Nogueron Eva Lopezosa-Reca |
| author_facet | Marie Adelaide Nicolas-Peyrot Yves Lescure Eleonore Perrin Magdalena Martinez-Rico Corentin Travouillon Gabriel Gijon-Nogueron Eva Lopezosa-Reca |
| author_sort | Marie Adelaide Nicolas-Peyrot |
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| description | <b>Background</b>: Running is a popular physical activity known for its health benefits but also for a high incidence of lower-limb injuries. This study examined the effects of three biomechanical interventions—cadence adjustments, footwear modifications, and foot orthoses—on plantar pressure distribution and spatiotemporal running parameters. <b>Methods</b>: A quasi-experimental, repeated-measures design was conducted with 23 healthy recreational runners (mean age 25, mean BMI 22.5) who ran at least twice per week. Five conditions were tested: baseline (C0), increased cadence (C1), orthoses (C2), low-drop footwear (C3), and a combination of these (C4). Data were collected on a Zebris treadmill, focusing on rearfoot contact time, peak forces, and stride length. <b>Results</b>: Increasing cadence (C1) reduced rearfoot impact forces (−81.36 N) and led to a shorter stride (−17 cm). Low-drop footwear (C3) decreased rearfoot contact time (−1.89 ms) and peak force (−72.13 N), while shifting pressure toward the midfoot. Orthoses (C2) effectively redistributed plantar pressures reducing rearfoot peak force (−41.31 N) without changing stride length. The combined intervention (C4) yielded the most pronounced reductions in peak forces across the rearfoot (−183.18 N) and forefoot (−139.09 N) and increased midfoot contact time (+5.07 ms). <b>Conclusions</b>: Increasing cadence and low-drop footwear significantly reduced impact forces, improving running efficiency. Orthoses effectively redistributed plantar pressures, supporting individualized injury prevention strategies. These findings suggest that combining cadence adjustments, footwear modifications, and orthoses could enhance injury prevention and running efficiency for recreational runners. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2411-5142 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology |
| spelling | doaj-art-0d3f17f2274a4a2ca398010f3e1848e62025-08-20T02:11:11ZengMDPI AGJournal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology2411-51422025-03-011018910.3390/jfmk10010089Optimizing Running Mechanics, Effects of Cadence, Footwear, and Orthoses on Force Distribution: A Quasi-Experimental StudyMarie Adelaide Nicolas-Peyrot0Yves Lescure1Eleonore Perrin2Magdalena Martinez-Rico3Corentin Travouillon4Gabriel Gijon-Nogueron5Eva Lopezosa-Reca6Facultad Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Malaga, 29017 Malaga, SpainFacultad Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Malaga, 29017 Malaga, SpainDepartment of Podologie, Ecole Rockefeller, 69008 Lyon, FranceDepartment of Health Sciences, Faculty of Nursing and Podiatry, Industrial Campus of Ferrol, Universidad de da Coruña, 15001 Ferrol, SpainTRINOMA Co., 48800 Villefort, FranceDepartment Nursing and Podiatry, Universidad de Malaga, 29017 Malaga, SpainDepartment Nursing and Podiatry, Universidad de Malaga, 29017 Malaga, Spain<b>Background</b>: Running is a popular physical activity known for its health benefits but also for a high incidence of lower-limb injuries. This study examined the effects of three biomechanical interventions—cadence adjustments, footwear modifications, and foot orthoses—on plantar pressure distribution and spatiotemporal running parameters. <b>Methods</b>: A quasi-experimental, repeated-measures design was conducted with 23 healthy recreational runners (mean age 25, mean BMI 22.5) who ran at least twice per week. Five conditions were tested: baseline (C0), increased cadence (C1), orthoses (C2), low-drop footwear (C3), and a combination of these (C4). Data were collected on a Zebris treadmill, focusing on rearfoot contact time, peak forces, and stride length. <b>Results</b>: Increasing cadence (C1) reduced rearfoot impact forces (−81.36 N) and led to a shorter stride (−17 cm). Low-drop footwear (C3) decreased rearfoot contact time (−1.89 ms) and peak force (−72.13 N), while shifting pressure toward the midfoot. Orthoses (C2) effectively redistributed plantar pressures reducing rearfoot peak force (−41.31 N) without changing stride length. The combined intervention (C4) yielded the most pronounced reductions in peak forces across the rearfoot (−183.18 N) and forefoot (−139.09 N) and increased midfoot contact time (+5.07 ms). <b>Conclusions</b>: Increasing cadence and low-drop footwear significantly reduced impact forces, improving running efficiency. Orthoses effectively redistributed plantar pressures, supporting individualized injury prevention strategies. These findings suggest that combining cadence adjustments, footwear modifications, and orthoses could enhance injury prevention and running efficiency for recreational runners.https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/10/1/89runningbiomechanicscadencefoot orthosesplantar pressure |
| spellingShingle | Marie Adelaide Nicolas-Peyrot Yves Lescure Eleonore Perrin Magdalena Martinez-Rico Corentin Travouillon Gabriel Gijon-Nogueron Eva Lopezosa-Reca Optimizing Running Mechanics, Effects of Cadence, Footwear, and Orthoses on Force Distribution: A Quasi-Experimental Study Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology running biomechanics cadence foot orthoses plantar pressure |
| title | Optimizing Running Mechanics, Effects of Cadence, Footwear, and Orthoses on Force Distribution: A Quasi-Experimental Study |
| title_full | Optimizing Running Mechanics, Effects of Cadence, Footwear, and Orthoses on Force Distribution: A Quasi-Experimental Study |
| title_fullStr | Optimizing Running Mechanics, Effects of Cadence, Footwear, and Orthoses on Force Distribution: A Quasi-Experimental Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optimizing Running Mechanics, Effects of Cadence, Footwear, and Orthoses on Force Distribution: A Quasi-Experimental Study |
| title_short | Optimizing Running Mechanics, Effects of Cadence, Footwear, and Orthoses on Force Distribution: A Quasi-Experimental Study |
| title_sort | optimizing running mechanics effects of cadence footwear and orthoses on force distribution a quasi experimental study |
| topic | running biomechanics cadence foot orthoses plantar pressure |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/10/1/89 |
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