Effects of coach-based gait retraining program on running biomechanics in runners

![CDATA[Rationale/Objectives: Laboratory-based gait retraining has been reported to successfully reduce impact loading in runners. Pose® Method of running is a popular coach-based gait retraining program aimed to modify running posture and prevent running injury. However, little is known about the effects of this program on running biomechanics. Hence, we sought to examine the running biomechanics in runners before and after a course of Pose® Method gait retraining. Methods: Fourteen recreational runners underwent a 4-week coach-based gait retraining program (2 sessions per week, and each session lasted 1.5 hours) delivered by a certified Pose® Method coach. We collected running kinematics and kinetics from 10 self-paced overground running trials before and after the training using motion capture system and force plate. Pre- and post-training vertical average (VALR) and instantaneous loading rates (VILR), lower limb kinematics, and foot strike angle (FSA) were compared using paired t-tests. Results: Participants exhibited no significant difference in both VALR (p=0.693) and VILR (p=0.782) after training. However, we found significantly greater hip flexion (Cohen’s d=0.84, p=0.008) and knee flexion (Cohen’s d=1.1, p=0.003) during swing phase. Besides, runners exhibited a significant reduction in the FSA after training (Cohen’s d=0.83, p=0.008), indicating a switch of footstrike pattern from heelstrike to midfoot strike landing. Conclusions: This study demonstrated a footstrike pattern switch and some kinematics changes at the hip and knee joint during swing phase after a course of Pose® Method gait retraining in runners. However, vertical loading rates, which are injury-related biomechanical markers, remained similar.]]