The influence of footwear kinetic, kinematic and electromyographical parameters on the energy requirements of steady state running

The first aim of this study was to determine whether footwear with different shock attenuating properties can influence running economy. The second was to determine whether kinetic, 3-D kinematic and EMG parameters could be related to running economy. Twelve male participants completed 6-min of steady state treadmill running at 4.0 m.s-1 in two different footwear conditions with different mechanical shock attenuating properties. Kinetic, 3-D kinematic and EMG measures were synchronously obtained. The results show that whilst footwear with different shock attenuating properties do not affect running economy, key parameters of peak hip flexion, vastus medialis activation, peak plantar flexion velocity and sagittal plane knee excursion were found to be significant predictors of running economy. Future work should focus on implementing interventions to improve running economy