Motor preferences in running and quiet standing

Introduction. - Running gait is an individual coordinated whole-body movement within which different foot strike patterns are employed. Mid/forefoot and rear foot strike patterns entail distinct muscle activation, with the ankle flexors and extensors primarily involved in regulating the ankle-joint position. These muscles also play an important role in quiet standing. Our aim was to identify the nature of any relationship between foot strike patterns as well as the global running patterns of individuals and the antero-posterior position of the centre of pressure during quiet standing. Facts and results. - The running biomechanics of thirty-five regularly-trained runners were assessed subjectively and globally using the Volodalen (R) method, and objectively using a high-speed video camera, white the static position of the centre of pressure was evaluated using a plantar pressure platform. Both the foot strike pattern and the global subjective score were correlated with the centre of pressure position in quiet standing. Conclusion. -These preliminary results support the existence of an overlap in how humans regulate running and quiet standing, which is likely to involve local and global mechanisms. (C) 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.