Influence of musculoskeletal stiffness on running performance. A systematic review

Details

Supervisors

Nguyen, Anh Phong

Faculty

Faculté des sciences de la motricité

Degree label

Master [120] en sciences de la motricité, orientation générale, à finalité spécialisée: kinésithérapie musculo-squelettique

Abstract

Stiffness can be defined as the ability of an object to resist deformation, In the human body, stiffness requires the interaction of anatomical structures such as tendons, ligaments, muscles, cartilage, and bones to resist change once forces such as gravity are applied. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the influence of musculoskeletal stiffness on running performance. A systematic review of the literature was conducted by two reviewers, following PRISMA guidelines, in the Cochrane, Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus databases and found 18 publications on vertical, leg, and joint stiffness and running performance. All but one of the studies showed that muscle stiffness had a positive effect on running performance. Stiffer athletes tend to have better sprint or endurance times, have more optimal oxygen consumption, and maintain a longer stride rate during long running sessions. Increased stiffness allows runners to improve their running economy and elastic redistribution of force. There is still no clear answer to the question of how training might increase mechanical stiffness during running. Future studies should aim to examine different training methods that would increase this stiffness.