A comparison of overground and treadmill running for measuring the three-dimensional kinematics of the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex.

OBJECTIVE: To compare overground and treadmill running for differences in the three-dimensional angular kinematics of the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex. DESIGN: A within-subject repeated measures design. BACKGROUND: The treadmill is an attractive research instrument as speed and slope are easily controlled and the required calibration volume is reduced. However, the degree to which treadmill running simulates overground running has not been resolved in the literature to date. METHODS: 10 able-bodied subjects ran overground and on a treadmill at a self-selected speed. The treadmill speed was matched to each subjects respective average overground speed. The time-distance and the three-dimensional angular kinematic data were captured using a passive marker based motion analysis system. A set of angular and temporal kinematic parameters were extracted from the data and subjected to statistical analyses. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between overground and treadmill running for all the time-distance parameters. Despite this, the kinematics of the lumbar spine and pelvis were similar between the two running conditions, with only three parameters being significantly different. These were lumbar extension at initial contact, anterior pelvic tilt at initial contact and the first maximum anterior pelvic tilt. Hip flexion-extension parameters were also only found to display subtle differences. Of the 17 hip parameters analysed, only hip flexion at initial contact, maximum hip flexion at loading response, hip extension at toe off, maximum hip extension and hip flexion-extension range of motion were found to be significantly different. CONCLUSION: A high powered treadmill with a minimal belt speed fluctuation is capable of being used to obtain a representation of the typical three-dimensional kinematic pattern of the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex during running. RELEVANCE: In order for the treadmill to be accepted as a useful research and/or clinical assessment instrument, it must be demonstrated that it does not significantly alter the performance of the evaluated activity. In this respect, a treadmill with minimal intra-stride belt speed variability and similar surface stiffness to the relevant overground condition is likely to be capable of being used to obtain a representation of the typical human running action for well accommodated subjects.

The effect of differing Cardan angle sequences on three dimensional lumbo-pelvic angular kinematics during running.

The variability in the three dimensional (3D) lumbo-pelvic angular kinematic patterns during running when using differing Cardan angle sequences was quantified. Data for four able-bodied subjects running on a treadmill at 4.0 m/s were captured using a motion analysis system with six cameras operating at 200 Hz. The adjusted coefficient of multiple correlation was used to compare graphical waveforms whilst the maximum root mean square of the differences was used to express the magnitude of any discrepancy in absolute units. Minimal qualitative differences were found between the various sequences. Quantitative differences between each of the Cardan angle sequences were not found to exceed 7.0 degrees and 2.8 degrees for the lumbar spine and pelvic rotations respectively. It was concluded that different Cardan angle sequences were not found to substantially affect typical 3D lumbo-pelvic angular kinematic patterns during running.

Relation of anterior pelvic tilt during running to clinical and kinematic measures of hip extension.

BACKGROUND: Limited hip extension flexibility due to tight hip flexor musculature or anterior hip capsular and ligamentous structures is a possible cause of increased anterior tilt of the pelvis during running. However, to date, research exploring this relation, as well as the kinematic relation between anterior tilt of the pelvis and peak hip extension range of motion during running, is not available. OBJECTIVE: To assess the relation of anterior pelvic tilt during running to peak hip extension range of motion measured during running and hip extension flexibility measured clinically. METHODS: Hip extension flexibility was assessed using the Thomas test, and the three dimensional kinematic motion of the pelvis and hips were recorded using a VICON motion analysis system with 14 elite athletes running on a treadmill at 20 km/h. RESULTS: Anterior pelvic tilt displayed a significant (p<0.01) correlation with peak hip extension range of motion during running. Anterior pelvic tilt tended to be increased in runners who displayed reduced absolute peak hip extension range of motion during terminal stance. No significant correlation was shown for hip extension flexibility with either anterior pelvic tilt or peak hip extension range of motion during running. CONCLUSIONS: The outcomes of this study indicate that anterior pelvic tilt and hip extension are coordinated movements during running. Static hip extension flexibility measured using the modified Thomas test does not appear to be reflective of these dynamic movements.

The coordinated movement of the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex during running: a literature review.

The purpose of this review article is to summarise the literature to date regarding the movement of the lumbar spine, pelvis and hips during running gait. Both two-dimensional and three-dimensional studies are analysed to illustrate the apparent coordination in the angular kinematics of each of these segments during running. Knowledge of this coordination is essential in order to facilitate the successful rehabilitation of running injuries to the back, pelvis, hip and thigh.