Association Between Impact Peak and Hip Flexor Activity During Running
Keyword(s):
Gait retraining techniques to reduce impact forces during running is of significant interest to clinicians interested in reducing running injury risk. Increased peak rectus femoris activity during swing was significantly correlated with decreased impact peak during running (r = −0.654, p = 0.01) due to the muscle’s large hip flexion moment arm (43 to 54 mm). Gluteus medius (r = −0.204, p = 0.466) and adductor longus (r = 0.104, p = 0.714) activity were not significantly correlated with impact peak. These results suggest that gait retraining programs aimed at reducing the impact peak during running should focus on increased rectus femoris activity during swing.