Effect of forefoot striking on the low back

NewsBot · Oct 2, 2013

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Effects of Foot Strike on Low Back Posture, Shock Attenuation, and Comfort in Running
Delgado, Traci L.; Kubera-Shelton, Emilia; Robb, Robert R.; Hickman, Robbin; Wallmann, Harvey W.; Dufek, Janet S.
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise:15 October 2012

Purpose: Barefoot running (BF) is gaining popularity in the running community. Biomechanical changes occur with BF, especially when initial contact changes from rearfoot strike (RFS) to forefoot strike (FFS). Changes in lumbar spine range of motion (ROM), particularly involving lumbar lordosis, have been associated with increased low back pain (LBP). However, it is not known if changing from RFS to FFS affects lumbar lordosis or LBP. The purpose of this study was to determine if a change from RFS to FFS would change lumbar lordosis, influence shock attenuation, or change comfort levels in healthy recreational/experienced runners.

Methods: Forty-three subjects performed a warm up on the treadmill where a self-selected foot strike pattern was determined. Instructions on running RFS/FFS were taught and two conditions were examined. Each condition consisted of 90 s of BF with RFS or FFS; order randomly assigned. A comfort questionnaire was completed after both conditions. Fifteen consecutive strides from each condition were extracted for analyses.

Results: Statistically significant differences between FFS and RFS shock attenuation (p<0.001), peak leg acceleration (p<0.001), and overall lumbar ROM (p=0.045) were found. There were no statistically significant differences between FFS and RFS in lumbar extension or lumbar flexion. There was a statistically significant difference between FFS and RFS for comfort/discomfort of the comfort questionnaire (p=.007). There were no statistically significant differences between other questions or the average of all questions.

Conclusions: Change in foot strike from RFS to FFS decreased overall ROM in the lumbar spine but did not make a difference in flexion or extension in which the lumbar spine is positioned. Shock attenuation was greater in RFS. RFS was perceived a more comfortable running pattern.
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Admin2 · Oct 17, 2012

Related threads:
Other threads on: barefoot running, low back, proximal problems, running, running technique and Impact forces

Craig Payne · Oct 17, 2012

These two comments jumped out at me:

NewsBot said: ↑

Shock attenuation was greater in RFS.
RFS was perceived a more comfortable running pattern
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...but this was an acute intervention.

NewsBot · Jun 11, 2013

NewsBot said: ↑

Effects of Foot Strike on Low Back Posture, Shock Attenuation, and Comfort in Running
Delgado, Traci L.; Kubera-Shelton, Emilia; Robb, Robert R.; Hickman, Robbin; Wallmann, Harvey W.; Dufek, Janet S.
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise:15 October 2012
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Here is the Phd Thesis that this publication was based on.

NewsBot · Apr 3, 2016

The influences of foot placement on lumbopelvic rhythm during trunk flexion motion
Jie Zhou et al
Jnl Biomech; Article in Press

Different standing postures could potentially influence trunk biomechanics during task performance. The current study investigated how foot placement, especially stance width and foot angle influenced lumbopelvis rhythm during sagittal trunk flexion motion. Ten participants performed pace controlled sagittally symmetric trunk flexion motions while maintaining three different stance widths and two different foot angles. The results showed the narrower stance and angled foot placement conditions generated more in-phase lumbopelvic coordination patterns during trunk flexion motions, possibly due to the reduced base of support and the associated postural stability. Findings of this study provided important information regarding the effects of foot placement on postural control and trunk biomechanics during trunk bending motions; these results suggested that foot placement could alter the motion patterns of spinal segments.
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