Retraining running gait to reduce tibial loads with clinician or accelerometry guided feedback

ObjectivesReducing tibial acceleration through gait retraining is thought to reduce the risk of stress fracture development, however current approaches require the use of advanced accelerometry equipment not readily available in the clinical setting. The aim was to compare the effect of clinician guided feedback with accelerometry guided feedback on peak tibial accelerations during running.DesignRepeated measures randomised design.MethodsTwenty-two healthy male runners were randomised to receive either tibial accelerometry or clinician guided feedback. Peak tibial accelerations were obtained for all participants (i) prior to intervention, (ii) after 10 min of feedback, (iii) after a further 10 min without feedback, and (iv) 1 week later.ResultsAcross groups, significant reductions in peak tibial acceleration were observed from baseline to each of the subsequent time points in the order of 19–29% (p = 0.001). No between-group differences in peak tibial acceleration were observed at any of the follow-up time points (p = 0.434).ConclusionsThese data indicate that in the short term the low cost, low technology, clinician guided approach to retraining running gait may be equally as effective as the more expensive accelerometry guided solution in reducing peak tibial accelerations. Longer term follow-up is required to evaluate the efficacy of both approaches in reducing the risk of stress fracture development.