Moving Performance Forward by Running BackwardAaron Uthoff MSc, CSCSNOVEMBER 2017

Locomotion Bias?

EBSCOHost Search

BR ≈ 18 studies vs Sprint ≈ 6500 studies

Player Tracking Over a Soccer Match

BR (+4m/s) ≈ 3-5% vs Sprint ≈ 0.8-1.4% 1,2

Sprinting and BR ≈ 1.5s

Not All Backward Running is Created Equal

Pedal vs Run

Why Run Backwards? Energetic and Biomechanical Rationale

↓ stress on knee joint 9 -11

Ground reaction forces experienced closer to toes 10

↑ total muscle activation of - Quadriceps- Hamstrings- Gastrocnemius- Tibias anterior 12, 13

↓ running speed≈ 70% of FR 7, 8

↑ rate of force development13

↑ vertical leg stiffness 14

↓ peak vertical GRF 8, 15

↑ aerobic demand↑ anaerobic demand 3-6

↓ stride length 6-8, 13, 16

↑ stride frequency 4, 6- 8, 16

• Autoregulation to self-select running velocity• - FR = (CV = 1.00 – 4.24, ICC = 0.92 – 0.98)

• - BR = (CV = 0.99 – 3.63, ICC = 0.96 – 0.99)

• Reliability of Resisted BR and FR

• Step kinematics and Muscle activity of un-resisted and resisted BR and FR

• Effects of 8-week un-resisted BR training program versus FR and Control

• Effects of 6-week resisted BR training program versus FR and Control

Current Research

Backward Running: Technical Considerations

Minimize Stance Leg Knee Flexion

Utilize Upper Limbs

Emphasize Hip

Extension

Exaggerate Swing Leg Knee

Flexion

Minimize Ground Contact Time

Rapid and Full Stance Leg Extension

1. Mohr M, Krustrup P, Bangsbo J. (2003). Match performance of high-standard soccer players with special reference to development of fatigue. J Sports Sci.21, 519-28.

2. Rebelo A, Brito J, Seabra A, Oliveira J, Krustrup P. (2014) Physical match performance of youth players in relation to physical capacity. Eur J Sport Sci, 14(S1), S148-56.

3. Adesola AM, Azeez OM. (2009). Comparison of cardio-pulmonary responses to forward and backward walking and running. Afr J Biomed Res. 12(2), 95-100.

4. Conti CA. (2009). The mechanical determinants of energetic cost in backward running: Humboldt State University.

5. Flynn TW, Connery SM, Smutok MA, Zeballos RJ, Weisman IM. (1994). Comparison of cardiopulmonary responses to forward and backward walking and running. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 26(1), 89-94.

6. Wright S, Weyand PG. (2001). The Application of Ground Force Explains the Energetic Cost of Running Backward and Forward. J Exp Bio. 204, 1805-15.

7. Arata A. (1999). Kinematic and kinetic evaluations of high speed backward running [Dissertation]: University of Oregon.

8. Weyand PG, Sandell RF, Prime DN, Bundle MW. (2010). The biological limits to running speed are imposed from the ground up. J Appl Physiol. 108(4), 950-61.

9. Flynn TW, Soutas-Little RW. (1995). Patellofemoral joint compressive forces in forward and backward running. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 21(5), 277-82.

10. Roos PE, Barton N, van Deursen RWM. (2012). Patellofemoral joint compression forces in backward and forward running. J Biomech. 45, 1656-60.

11. Sussman DH, Alrowayeh, H., & Walker, M.L. (2000). Patellofemoral Joint Compressive Forces During Backward and Forward Running at the Same Speed. J Musculoskeletal Res. 4(2), 107-18.

12. Flynn TW, Soutas-Little RW. (1993). Mechanical power and muscle action during forward and backward running. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 17(2), 108-12.

13. Sterzing T, Frommhold C, Rosenbaum D. (2016). In-shoe plantar pressure distribution and lower extremity muscle activity patterns of backward comparedto forward running on a treadmill. Gait and Posture. 46, 135-41.

14. Cavagna GA, Legramandi MA, La Torre A. (2012). An analysis of the rebound of the body in backward human running. J Exp Bio. 215(1), 75-84.

15. Threlkeld AJ, Horn TS, Wojtowicz G, Rooney JG, Shapiro R. (1989). Kinematics, ground reaction force, and muscle balance produced by backward running. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 11(2), 56-63.

16. DeVita P, Stribling J. (1991). Lower extremity joint kinetics and energetics during backward running. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 23(5), 602-10.

References

Thank You!

Aaron UthoffEmail - uthoffaaron@gmail.comPhone - +64 27 231 9585Twitter - @amuthoffInstagram - @atrain3606