Citation

Wang L, Hong Y, Li JX, Zhou JH. Res. Sports Med. 2012; 20(2): 75-85.

Affiliation

a Department of Sports Science and Physical Education , The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15438627.2012.660816

PMID

22458825

Abstract

The objective of this study is to compare plantar loads during running on different overground surfaces. Fifteen heel-to-toe runners participated in the study. Plantar load data were collected and analyzed using an insole sensor system during running on concrete, synthetic rubber, and grass surfaces at a running speed of 3.8 m/s. Compared with running on concrete surface, running on natural grass showed a lower magnitude of maximum plantar pressure at the total foot (451.8kPa vs. 401.7kPa, p = 0.016), lateral midfoot (175.3kPa vs. 148.0kPa, p = 0.004), central forefoot (366.3kPa vs. 336.8kPa, p = 0.003), and lateral forefoot (290.2kPa vs. 257.9kPa, p = 0.004). Moreover, running on natural grass showed a longer relative contact time compared with running on a concrete surface at the central forefoot (81.9% vs. 78.8%, p = 0.017) and lateral forefoot (75.2% vs. 73.1%, p = 0.007). No significant difference was observed in other multiple comparisons. Different surfaces affected the plantar loads while running. The differences may help us to understand potential injury mechanisms.

Language: en