Multi-planar intersegmental coordination differs between retrained and habitual non-rearfoot strikers
6 affiliations
- 1Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences of Ministry of Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
- 2Department of Physical Education, Central South University, Changsha, China
- 3Li Ning Sports Science Research Center, Li Ning (China) Sports Goods Company Limited, Beijing, China
- 4College of Physical Education, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- 5Faculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- 6School of Intelligent Sports Engineering, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
Abstract
PurposeThis study aimed to compare multi-planar shank-foot coordination patterns and variability during stance between runners who transitioned from a rearfoot strike (RFS) to a non-rearfoot strike (NRFS) through gait retraining (RETs) and habitual NRFS runners (HABs).MethodsThirty-eight runners (18 RETs, 20 HABs) were analyzed. Multi-planar shank-foot coordination patterns and coordination variability (CV) were quantified across three key couplings using a modified vector coding technique. Sagittal-plane and impact-related outcomes, coordination-pattern proportions, and CV were analyzed using independent-samples tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and generalized linear mixed models, respectively.ResultsPrimary analyses showed no statistically significant between-group differences in foot-strike angle, peak vGRF, VALR, or VILR. Covariate-adjusted sensitivity analyses identified lower VALR and VILR in RETs (P = 0.040 and P = 0.025). Coordination-pattern proportions differed during P4 of the shank transverse vs. foot sagittal coupling, with RETs exhibiting greater anti-phase distal-dominant and lower in-phase distal-dominant coordination. Significant group × phase interactions in CV were observed across all three couplings (P ≤ 0.002), with greater CV in RETs during P2 of the shank frontal vs. foot sagittal coupling (P = 0.021).ConclusionPhase- and coupling-specific differences in shank-foot coordination were observed between HABs and RETs who completed gait retraining and demonstrated an NRFS pattern at testing. Multi-planar coordination analysis may therefore provide complementary information beyond foot-strike classification and selected sagittal-plane or external loading measures.
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BibTeX
@article{zhi2026multiplanar,
title = {{Multi-planar intersegmental coordination differs between retrained and habitual non-rearfoot strikers}},
author = {Ruoyu Zhi and Liqin Deng and Liqin Deng and Kaicheng Wu and Fan Yang and Bokai Suo and Zeyu Lu and Yunjian Zhong and Xini Zhang and Weijie Fu},
journal = {Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.3389/fbioe.2026.1948314},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2026.1948314},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Multi-planar intersegmental coordination differs between retrained and habitual non-rearfoot strikers
AU - Ruoyu Zhi
AU - Liqin Deng
AU - Liqin Deng
AU - Kaicheng Wu
AU - Fan Yang
AU - Bokai Suo
AU - Zeyu Lu
AU - Yunjian Zhong
AU - Xini Zhang
AU - Weijie Fu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/09
JO - Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
DO - 10.3389/fbioe.2026.1948314
UR - https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2026.1948314
AB - PurposeThis study aimed to compare multi-planar shank-foot coordination patterns and variability during stance between runners who transitioned from a rearfoot strike (RFS) to a non-rearfoot strike (NRFS) through gait retraining (RETs) and habitual NRFS runners (HABs).MethodsThirty-eight runners (18 RETs, 20 HABs) were analyzed. Multi-planar shank-foot coordination patterns and coordination variability (CV) were quantified across three key couplings using a modified vector coding technique. Sagittal-plane and impact-related outcomes, coordination-pattern proportions, and CV were analyzed using independent-samples tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and generalized linear mixed models, respectively.ResultsPrimary analyses showed no statistically significant between-group differences in foot-strike angle, peak vGRF, VALR, or VILR. Covariate-adjusted sensitivity analyses identified lower VALR and VILR in RETs (P = 0.040 and P = 0.025). Coordination-pattern proportions differed during P4 of the shank transverse vs. foot sagittal coupling, with RETs exhibiting greater anti-phase distal-dominant and lower in-phase distal-dominant coordination. Significant group × phase interactions in CV were observed across all three couplings (P ≤ 0.002), with greater CV in RETs during P2 of the shank frontal vs. foot sagittal coupling (P = 0.021).ConclusionPhase- and coupling-specific differences in shank-foot coordination were observed between HABs and RETs who completed gait retraining and demonstrated an NRFS pattern at testing. Multi-planar coordination analysis may therefore provide complementary information beyond foot-strike classification and selected sagittal-plane or external loading measures.
SN - 2296-4185
ER -