Influence of running speed, inclination, and fatigue on calcaneus angle in female runners

Verdel, Nina (avtor), Nograšek, Neža (avtor), Drobnič, Miha (avtor), Papuga, Irinej (avtor), Strojnik, Vojko (avtor), Supej, Matej (avtor)

Running is a popular form of physical activity with significant health benefits, but improper technique can lead to running-related injuries. This study investigates the influence of running speed, incline, and fatigue on calcaneus eversion/inversion angle at heel strike, maximum eversion angle, and range of motion, factors associated with lower limb injuries. Fifteen injury-free female runners participated in this study. Kinematic data were collected using a 3D motion capture system with reflective markers placed directly on the skin through specially modified running shoes. The runners performed treadmill trials at varying speeds (10, 12, and 14 km/h) and inclines (0°, 5°, and 10°), both before and after a fatigue-inducing 30-min run. The results indicate that higher speeds were associated with an increase in inversion angle at heel strike (p = 0.05) and range of motion (p = 0.02 before fatigue), both of which are linked to chronic ankle instability and Achilles tendinopathy. Running at an incline reduced both maximum eversion angle (p = 0.002 after fatigue) and range of motion (p = 0.003 after fatigue), suggesting a protective effect against excessive eversion. Fatigue increased range of motion (p = 0.05), which is a risk factor for instability and overuse injuries. These findings suggest that running at higher speeds and in a fatigued state may increase the likelihood of injuries due to increased range of motion, whereas incline running may mitigate this risk by reducing excessive eversion and range of motion. Understanding these biomechanical changes can inform injury prevention strategies for runners.

• Jezik: Angleški jezik
• Ključne besede: sport, biomechanics, eversion, inversion, injury prevention, running related injury, 3D kinematics
• Vrsta gradiva: Članek v reviji
• Tipologija: 1.01 - Izvirni znanstveni članek
• Organizacija: FŠ - Fakulteta za šport
• Status publikacije: Objavljeno
• Različica publikacije: Objavljena publikacija
• Leto izida: 2025
• Št. strani: 11 str.
• Številčenje: Vol. 16, art. 1505263
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-179880
• UDK: 796.01
• ISSN pri članku: 1664-042X
• DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2025.1505263
• COBISS.SI-ID: 233043203
• Datum objave v RUL: 26.02.2026

Gradivo je del revije

• Naslov: Frontiers in physiology
• Skrajšan naslov: Front. physiol.
• Založnik: Frontiers Research Foundation
• ISSN: 1664-042X
• COBISS.SI-ID: 1218939

Licence

• Licenca: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Priznanje avtorstva 4.0 Mednarodna
• Povezava: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.sl
• Opis: To je standardna licenca Creative Commons, ki daje uporabnikom največ možnosti za nadaljnjo uporabo dela, pri čemer morajo navesti avtorja.

Sekundarni jezik

• Jezik: Slovenski jezik
• Ključne besede: šport, biomehanika, everzija, inverzija, preprečevanje poškodb, s tekom povezane poškodbe, 3D kinematika

Projekti

• Financer: ARIS - Javna agencija za znanstvenoraziskovalno in inovacijsko dejavnost Republike Slovenije
• Številka projekta: P5-0147
• Naslov: Kineziologija monostrukturnih, polistrukturnih in konvencionalnih športov

• Financer: ARIS - Javna agencija za znanstvenoraziskovalno in inovacijsko dejavnost Republike Slovenije
• Številka projekta: J5-3115
• Naslov: AiCoachU - vadba z umetno inteligenco