Kinetic & Kinematics

Of Running

Dr. Nigam Prasad Dash

MPT
• Running is similar to walking in terms of locomotor activity.

• Running requires :

1. Greater balance – double float period

2. Muscle strength – elevation of HAT

3. Joint ROM - absorb increased energy to control weight

• During running gait cycle, the GRF & COP increase to 250 % of body
weight (Double that of Walking).
Difference betn Running & Walking
• Time & ground contact pattern.

• Greater joint motion & eccentric muscle work.

• Double & single limb support (period of double limb float).

• < 40% of stance & > 60% swing (vice versa)

• Running – speed Stance time Swing time

• For Running – 1st increase in step length 2nd step rate.

Float period (phase)
• Biomechanical feature which
distinguishes running from walking.

• Time spends in float LEADS TO

increase in running speed.

• This phase starts from ipsilateral toe

off.

• For this in running stance phase equates

40% & swing phase 60%.
Gait Cycle Of Running

• Gait cycle begins when one foot comes in contact with the ground and
ends when the same foot contacts the ground again.

• 2 phases – Stance & Swing phase

Initial swing

Loading(heel strike to foot flat) Terminal swing

Mid stance (foot flat to heel off) (forward descent)

Propulsion(heel off to toe off)

Loading(heel strike to foot flat)
• Progression towards heel strike
Foot supinated with slight inversion(0-5*)
Pelvis ant tilt & internal rot(10*)
Hip external rot(10*) & flexed(20-30*)
Knee flex (10*)
• Due to lateral directed GRF,Cascade of event (foot eversion, hip
internal rot & adduction,knee flexion(45*))

• This help GRF pass post to the knee joint.

• These all done by gluteus eccentric contraction for dissipate of GRF.

• Rear foot eversion gives more alignment to mid tarsal joints (unlocking).

• This mechanism allows the forefoot to make solid contact with ground at
foot flat.
Midstace (foot flat to heel off)
• Fore foot making contact with ground.

• Biomechanical function involves shock absorption following loading to prepare for

propulsion.

• During this time ankle moves towards maximal dorsi flexion(20*).

• Same time hip & knee moving from flexion towards extension for assisting
forward motion body COM.

Max foot pronation followed by ankle dorsi flexion should reach, rear foot eversion(
10*)& fore foot abduction (5*) as the COM passed ant to the stance limb.
Propulsion(heel off to toe off)
• Following heel off foot continues to supinate & plantar flexed.
rear foot invertion
transverse tarsal joint converge
mid foot locked (creats rigid lever)
• Then stance limb goes for externally rotation & excessive extention & knee
flexion.(hamstring contraction)
• Acceleration of stance limb starts by maintaining same rigid liver i.e by
(contraction of gastrocnemius, soleous, tibialis post & foot intrinsic)
• Windlass mechanism helps in giving passive rigidity to foot.
Initial Swing

• After toe off the body thrust into the 1st FLOAT phase. (rectus femoris &
iliopsoas contracts for forward momentum of swing limb)

• Then preparation for terminal swing starts by (tibialis ant, hip adductors
eccentrically)

• At this time swing side relies on contralateral gluteal musculature to

dissipate the GRF produced by this event & prevent pelvic dropping in
swing side.
Terminal swing

• Following contralateral toe off the body is thrust into the 2nd FLOAT
phase.

• During this time swing hip reaches maximal flexion (30*) (before coming
under control of hams & gluts)

• Same hams activity slows the rapid extension of knee for preparation of
heel strike & hip adductors control eccentrically to control abduction.

• Then adductors acts concentrically to bring hip towards midline.

Kinematics Of Running
Sagittal plane:-

• in this plane running exhibit out pelvic tilt & thigh angle.

• At initial contact - hip flexes 20-45* after which it goes for extension till

toe off.

• At terminal swing hip flexion decreases that lead to reduction of velocity of the
foot relative to the ground.

• In runners pelvic motion is minimized. (to conserve energy & efficiency)

• Increase of lumber lordosis. (from mid stance to toe off & from mid swing to

terminal swing)

Because

limitation of hip extensor mobility may place lumber spine in compromised

position of excessive lordosis & also strain on hamstring muscle.(back pain)
• At initial contact knee flexes 15-25*.

at mid stance knee flexes 45*.

at propulsion phase knee extends of 25*.

but in swing phase knee reaches beyond 90* of flexion.

• At initial contact ankle in neutral.

at midstance 20* of dorsiflexion as leg is loded.

at toe off 15-35* of plantar flexion & that continues till preparation of heel

strike.
• At initial contact foot goes for supination followed by calcaneous invertion 4*.

• as the progression occurs subtalar joints pronates followed by hind foot

eversion & tibial internal rotation. (during 1st 20% of stance phase)
Frontal Plane:-

• In this plane hip is adducted 6-12* with respect to pelvis from initial contact to
midstance.

• Then from mid stance to mid swing hip abducts 6* to forward progression of
body & clearance of swing leg.

• In terminal swing hip returns to adduction for for preparation of initial contact.
Transverse plane:-

• Movement pattern in this plane imp for energy efficiency.

• At initial contact – pelvis exhibit 8* of forward rotation.

hip external rotation of 10* (mid stance)

then internal rot to neutral (toe off)

• Foot shows max external rotation in midswing of 15*.

Kinetics Of Running
• Ankle, knee, hip power patterns are similar in running to those of walking,

only the velocity influences the amplitude.

• When forward speed of runner increases, the peak GRF and rate of loading
increases.

• During running sharp GRF at initial contact resulting in an impact peak.

(depends on foot strike pattern)

• After initial peak GRF reaches 2.2 to 2.6 times of body weight in runners.

• During mid stance GRFs are highest on body.

• Anteroposterior GRF can alter through strike style(fore foot & heel),
cadence & running surface(downhill & uphill).
THANK YOU…