Gait retraining is an emerging method of managing running-related injuries, including patellofemoral pain (PFP). However, as a result of an unnatural running pattern, it is possible that gait retraining can affect running economy.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether gait retraining by modifying footstrike patterns from rearfoot strike (RFS) to forefoot strike (FFS) increased running economy and heart rate immediately post-retraining and one month post-retraining.
METHODS: Sixteen subjects (n=16) received clearance to participate by a licensed physical therapist, and were randomly placed in the control (n=8) or experimental (n=8) group. Subsequently, the experimental group (EXP) performed eight gait retraining running sessions where footstrike pattern was switched from RFS to FFS, while the control group (CTL) performed eight running sessions with no intervention. Running economy (VO2), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), and heart rate (HR) were recorded during pre-, post-, and one-month post-running trials.
RESULTS: There were no significant differences for VO2 (p= 0.26), RER (p= 0.258), or HR (p= 0.248) between the groups as a result of retraining. Specifically, the average changes from pre-training to one-month post-retraining for CTL and EXP, respectively, were 0.03 ml/kg/min and 2.29 ml/kg/min for VO2, 0.01 and 0.03 for RER, and -3 bpm and 12 bpm for HR.
CONCLUSION: Retraining from RFS to FFS did not increase running economy one-month post-retraining.
