Varying degrees of running incline: Implications for chronic injury aetiology and rehabilitation
There has yet to be a combined analysis of the kinetics and three-dimensional kinematics of running at various degrees of inclination. The aim of the current study was to investigate the influence of treadmill running at various inclines (flat, 5, 10 and 15 degrees) on three-dimensional kinematics of the lower extremities and accelerations measured at the tibia. Ten male participants ran at 4.0 m/s at the four different inclinations. Three-dimensional lower extremity kinematics and tibial accelerations were quantified and contrasted using repeated measures ANOVA's. Tibial acceleration parameters were reduced significantly as a function of running incline, whilst tibial internal rotation was significant greater at 15° compared to flat. This study confirms that differences in both kinetics and kinematics are mediated through alterations in running inclination. From a clinical perspective, those who are susceptible/ recovering from injury may wish to utilise an incline in their training.