Project Team
Students
Patrick O’Donnell
Mechanical Engineering
Penn State Berks
Faculty Mentors
Joseph Mahoney
Penn State Berks
Mechanical Engineering and Kinesiology
Allison Altman-Singles
Penn State Berks
Kinesiology and Mechanical Engineering
Project
https://sites.psu.edu/mcreu/files/formidable/2/ODonnell_ME_MCREU2022_Poster.pdf
Project Video
Project Abstract
In recent years, stroller running has grown in popularity. A large majority of runners get injured each year, and the target market for stroller runners is more at risk of injuries due to being within the postpartum period. This study investigates tibial acceleration, impact loading and lower extremity kinematics of a participant running with and without a stroller. The study compares the results of runners, ages 18-45, who run more than five miles a week. Participants were fitted with Inertial Measurement Units and asked to run across a force plate in the lab with and without a stroller. From the current pool of eleven subjects, there was found to be a 14% reduction in Max Impact Loading Rate (p = 0.009), as well as an 18% reduction of Average Impact Loading Rate (p = 0.024). While not significant, a 5% reduction in Peak Tibial Acceleration has been found. In addition, we found a 20% reduction in Max Breaking Force (p = 0.000683). We theorize that the decrease in these parameters will come from the shared load of the stroller because the stroller itself takes some of the force while running and changes the runner’s form. However, the participant may still be accelerating during the trial, thus, the current indoor study may be flawed. An outdoor study would allow for plenty of time for acceleration to achieve constant velocity, in addition, this will replicate outdoor conditions by having elevation changes, turns, and realistic surface conditions. Currently, the trends from the indoor collected data pool have shown significant differences between running with and without a stroller indoors. The results thus far support the initial theories that running with a stroller may reduce certain risk factors for injury.
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