Hill Cherice N, Schmitt Daniel, Reed Wornie, Arent Shawn M, Sands Laura P, Queen Robin M
Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, College of Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, College of Arts and Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
Sports Biomech. 2024 Dec;23(12):2738-2756. doi: 10.1080/14763141.2022.2056075. Epub 2022 Mar 30.
It is unknown whether running and landing mechanics differ between racial groups despite injury disparities between African Americans (AA) and white Americans (WA). This study aimed to identify potential racial differences in running and landing mechanics and understand whether anthropometric, strength, and health status factors contribute to these differences. Venous blood samples, anthropometry, lower-extremity strength, and health status assessments were collected (n = 84, 18-30y). Three-dimensional motion capture and force plate data were recorded during 7 running and 7 drop vertical jump trials. Racial effects were determined, and regression models evaluated explanatory factors. AA females ran with longer stance times (p = 0.003) than WA females, while AA males ran with smaller loading rates (p = 0.046) and larger peak vertical ground reaction forces (p = 0.036) than WA males. Frontal plane knee range of motion during landing was greater in AA females (p = 0.033) than WA females; larger waist circumference and weaker knee extension strength accounted for this significance. Although outcome measures were associated with physiologic, anthropometric, and activity measures, their explanatory power for race was ambiguous, except for knee range of motion in females. Modifiable factors explaining racial effects during landing in females are potential intervention targets to reduce racial health disparities in running and landing injuries.
