Biomechanical and Musculoskeletal Differences Between Postpartum Runners and Nulliparous Controls

Background: Women are running as soon as 8 weeks postpartum and there is currently little understanding of the effects of pregnancy and childbirth on the postpartum runner (PPR). Pregnancy-related musculoskeletal and physiological changes could impact running gait postpartum. Objective: The purpose of the current study was to investigate differences in overground running kinetics, strength and flexibility in PPRs, and age-matched nulliparous controls. Methods: Vertical and anteroposterior ground reaction force (APGRF) data were collected during overground running and normalized to body weight (NBW). Hip and knee strength, and hamstring flexibility measures were collected using a handheld dynamometer and inclinometer, respectively. Data were averaged for both legs. Independent-samples t tests and effect size (ES) estimations were conducted using α = .05. Findings: Nine PPRs (33.10 ± 5.60 years; ≤2 years postpartum) and 9 age-matched nulliparous women (31.67 ± 4.55 years) participated. PPRs had 24.3% greater braking loading rate for APGRF than controls (mean difference [MD] 3.41 NBW/s, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.08, 6.74; P = .046; ES 1.08). PPRs had 14% less hamstring flexibility (MD 10.98°, 95% CI 0.97, 20.99; P = .034; ES 1.14), 25.9% less hip abduction strength (MD 0.04 NBW, 95% CI 0.00, 0.08; P = .045; ES 1.07) and 51.6% less hip adduction strength (MD 0.06 NBW, 95% CI 0.02, 0.10; P = .003; ES 1.68). Interpretation: These prelimina...
Source: Journal of Women’s Health Physical Therapy - Category: Physiotherapy Tags: Research Reports Source Type: research