The influence of mood during treadmill running on biomechanical asymmetry of the lower-limbs

Cheryl Williams*, Timothy Exell, Miznah Al-Abbadey

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate if mood effects lower-limb biomechanical asymmetry during running. Twenty runners (13M, 7F; age 22-58 years), performed four 3-minute runs at their 5km pace (3.3 ± 0.3 m/s), preceded by a mood questionnaire. Baseline data were captured, followed by randomised mood conditions: anger, happiness, and sadness; elicited with film clips and music. Symmetry angles used for analysis. In the sadness condition, compared with baseline, biomechanical asymmetry significantly increased (p < .05) by 3.7% at ground contact for hip abduction, and at toe-off for knee abduction by 0.6% and internal rotation by 1.1%. Toe-off plantarflexion asymmetry decreased by 2.2% with anger, compared to baseline. Happiness did not appear to affect asymmetry. Results suggest sadness may increase asymmetry and associated overuse injury risk, and anger may facilitate symmetry.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 41st International Society of Biomechanics in Sports Conference
Number of pages4
Publication statusPublished - 12 Jul 2023
Event41st International Society of Biomechanics in Sports Conference - Milwaukee, United States
Duration: 12 Jul 202316 Jul 2023

Conference

Conference41st International Society of Biomechanics in Sports Conference
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityMilwaukee
Period12/07/2316/07/23

Keywords

  • symmetry
  • injury prevention
  • emotions
  • gait
  • kinematic
  • embodiment

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