Influence of trunk muscles fatigue on ground reaction forces characteristics in dominant and non-dominant legs of novice runners

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Sport Injuries and Corrective Exercises, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.

2 Department of Sport Biomechanics and Motor Behavior, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Mazandaran, Iran

10.22084/rsr.2025.30269.1757

Abstract

Background and Aim: Dominant and non-dominant legs have different mechanical tasks during running. Therefore, it can be expected that trunk muscle fatigue could have different effects on the dominant and non-dominant legs. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of trunk muscle fatigue on ground reaction force characteristics on the dominant and non-dominant legs in novice runners.
Methods: Thirty male and female participants ran a 16-meter path at a speed of 3.3 m/s before and after a trunk muscle fatigue protocol. They were asked to step on a force plate (1000 Hz, Winterthur, Switzerland) placed in the mid-way of the path with both their dominant and non-dominant legs. The ground reaction force characteristics of the dominant and non-dominant legs before and after trunk muscle fatigue were calculated and analyzed.
Results: In the pre-fatigue condition, the dominant leg exhibited greater values in peak propulsive force and peak adductor free moment, and smaller values in peak medial force and peak abduction free moment compared to the non-dominant leg. Following trunk muscle fatigue, the dominant leg showed increased peak medial force. In the non-dominant leg, peak lateral force, peak braking force, and peak abduction free moment decreased, while medio-lateral impulse increased.
Conclusion: Trunk muscle fatigue affects the mechanics of the dominant and non-dominant legs differently. These different changes can increase the risk of running-related injuries in both the dominant and non-dominant limbs. Future researchers are advised to consider limb dominance in their studies.

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Journal for Research in Sport Rehabilitation
Volume 12, Issue 24
February 2025
Pages 105-117

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