Dynamic loading during running on various surfaces

The amplitude of the shock waves propagating through the human locomotor system while running along three various surfaces were evaluated using a small accelerometer externally attached to the runners' tibial tuberosity. Nine runners participated in this study. It was found that the running generates shock waves an order of magnitude higher than that during walking. The amplitudes of the shock waves generated during running were dependent on the surface. Running on the grass surface resulted in nearly 25 percent higher shock wave amplitude when compared with asphalt, while running on the artificial track resulted in only 5 percent higher shock waves amplitude than running on the asphalt surface. The described technique for acquiring data on the heel strike generated shock waves can be useful for the evaluation and comparison of different types of running track surfaces.