DEFICITS IN FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENT PATTERNS AND RUNNING ECONOMY OF TRAINED ENDURANCE RUNNERS

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2015-08
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INTRODUCTION: It has been well established that the mechanics of running gait play a significant role in running economy. Running gait is influenced by many musculoskeletal factors, which can change movement patterns. An individual’s fundamental dynamic movement patterns can be evaluated using the Functional Movement Screen (FMS). Individuals with less movement deficits, specifically asymmetries, may demand less oxygen during activity than individuals with more movement deficits. PURPOSE: This study looked at how deficits in functional movement patterns relate to the running economy of trained endurance runners. Specifically, one aim of this study was to demonstrate that runners who have one or more asymmetries during the FMS demand more oxygen as they run. A second aim was to demonstrate that runners who score 14 or less on the FMS demand more oxygen. A third aim was to demonstrate that runners who score a 2 or less on the Hurdle Step test demand more oxygen than runners who score a 3 on the Hurdle Step FMS test. METHODS: Forty trained endurance runners were tested in the lab on one occasion. Each subject performed all 7 movement tests of the FMS. Next, each subject performed a running economy test consisting of 3 4-minute submaximal trials on the treadmill (women: 10, 12, and 14 km/hr; men: 12, 14, and 16 km/hr). An independent t-test was utilized for each independent variable of interest (asymmetry presence, total FMS score, Hurdle Step score). An alpha of p<0.05 was used to indicate statistical significance. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in running economy between the asymmetrical group (n=21) and the symmetrical group (n=19), only at the speed of 14 km/hour. Contrary to our original hypothesis, the asymmetrical group was more economical than the symmetrical group. Comparing running economy between asymmetrical and symmetrical FMS scorers (men and women together and separately) at all other speeds did not reach statistical significance. There was no difference between running economy of the FMS Hurdle Step test score of 3 group (n=19) and the FMS Hurdle Step test score of 2 or less group (n=21) at any speed. Furthermore, there was no difference between running economy of the FMS Total Score of 14 or less group (n=2) and the FMS Total Score of 15 or more group (n=38) at any speed. CONCLUSION: Trained runners who displayed movement asymmetries as determined by the Functional Movement Screen demonstrated lower oxygen uptakes during submaximal running than runners who were symmetrical on the FMS movements. Although movement asymmetries have been linked to higher injury risk, there may be an advantage of lower metabolic cost during running, which may be due to differences in leg stiffness. Although total FMS score and scores specifically on the hurdle step movement did not influence running economy, the FMS screen remains a staple of pre-participation screening for athletes of all disciplines.
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