A Study on running form characteristics measured by the 3-D foot behavior evaluation system based on AR technology

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between runners' characteristics and their foot behaviors during stance phase in running. We collected foot motion data from 450 recreational runners by using a newly developed 3-D motion analysis system based on AR technology, and analyzed the data from standpoints of gender, running experience, and bilateral differences of foot behaviors. Therefore it was clarified that 25%, 32%, and 42% of runners were categorized into underpronators, neutral pronators and overpronators, respectively. There was no significant difference in pronation types between male and female runners but experienced runners tended to have shorter contact time with small contact angle of foot planter flexion, resulting in lesser overpronation ratio. About 20% of the participants showed bilateral difference in their pronation types. Judging from an extra experiment, it was found that ankle supporter was effective to curb foot overpronation and decrease bilateral difference.