Adaptations of lumbar biomechanics after four weeks of running training with minimalist footwear and technique guidance: Implications for running-related lower back pain

作者：Lee Szu Ping^*; Bailey Joshua P; Smith Jo Armour; Barton Stephanie; Brown David; Joyce Talia

来源：Physical Therapy in Sport, 2018, 29: 101-107.

DOI：10.1016/j.ptsp.2016.11.004

• Running
• Lower back pain
• Kinematics
• EMG

Objectives: To investigate the changes in lumbar kinematic and paraspinal muscle activation before, during, and after a 4-week minimalist running training.
Design: Prospective cohort study.
Setting: University research laboratory.
Participants: Seventeen habitually shod recreational runners who run 10-50 km per week.
Main outcome measures: During stance phases of running, sagittal lumbar kinematics was recorded using an electrogoniometer, and activities of the lumbar paraspinal muscles were assessed by electromyography. Runners were asked to run at a prescribed speed (3.1 m/s) and a self-selected speed.
Results: For the 3.1 m/s running speed, significant differences were found in the calculated mean lumbar posture (p = 0.001) during the stance phase, including a more extended lumbar posture after minimalist running training. A significant reduction in the contralateral lumbar paraspinal muscle activation was also observed (p = 0.039). For the preferred running speed, similar findings of a more extended lumbar posture (p = 0.002) and a reduction in contralateral lumbar paraspinal muscle activation (p = 0.047) were observed.
Conclusion: A 4-week minimalist running training program produced significant changes in lumbar biomechanics during running. Specifically, runners adopted a more extended lumbar posture and reduced lumbar paraspinal muscle activation. These findings may have clinical implications for treating individuals with running-related lower back pain.

• 出版日期2018-1