Impact forces in female recreational runners: Track versus treadmill runnin

Female recreational runners are at a higher risk of injury than males. However, there are few studies that focus on female runners. The connection between impacts and injury makes studying impact accelerations valuable when looking at running. Many running studies are conducted on the treadmill, but few evaluate how these results compare to overground running, especially over longer distances. This research focuses on comparing impact accelerations during four-mile track and treadmill runs, both in the vertical and horizontal axes for the entire study population and by pace groups. Changes in impact accelerations over the course of the track and treadmill run were also examined, first by the overall study population and then by pace. By using a wireless accelerometer runners were monitored outside of a laboratory setting for the most natural runs possible. The results of the study showed that vertical impacts were not significantly different between the track and the treadmill, while horizontal impacts were significantly lower during the treadmill run. Vertical impacts also increased over time during both the track and treadmill run. Horizontal impacts increased over time with the track run, but did not change significantly over the treadmill run. These findings may have significant impact on the way future running studies are conducted, especially those trying to mimic a recreational run.