Running

Introduction: Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS) is among the most common injuries in distance runners. Thus, the present study investigated the effect of a special strengthening exercise program for abductor’s muscles according to NSCA protocol, on pain reduction and lower extremity function improvement among elite distance runners with ITBS. Materials and Methods: The subjects of the present study were 32 elite distance runners who were randomly divided into two groups of control and experimental (n=16/group). The experimental group performed the exercise program for 8 weeks; however, the control group followed their routine program. The pain was assessed by the Visual Analogue Scale of pain (VAS) and the lower extremity function was assessed by the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS). In the statistical procedure, the repeated-measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni test was applied to determine the within-group and between-groups differences of the study variables, and for assessing the stability level of protocols’ effect on the experimental group and comparing the stages, respectively. The significance level was considered 0.05, test power as 95%, and effect size as 0.7; SPSS was used for all data analyses. Results: The present study data indicated that the strengthening exercise program on hip abductor muscles caused a significant decrease in pain (P=0.0001). The lower extremity function manifested a significant improvement in the experimental group after 8 weeks of strengthening exercise protocol (P=0.0001); it was durable even 3 months after the end of the exercise program. Conclusion: Hip abductor muscle strengthening, based on NSCA protocol, can be an effective approach in reducing pain and improving lower extremity function in elite distance runners with ITBS.

Aim and background: The aim of this study was to investigate Kinematics and kinetics Symmetry of Lower Limbs during running at a constant speed. Methods: 28 Elite runner (age: 34.75±6.63years) participated in this study. Running at constant speed was conducted by each subject at 2/5 m.s-1 on treadmill while kinematic and kinetic data were captured at 150 Hz and 300 Hz, respectively. The peak of joint moments and flexion angles in sagittal plane were calculated. The normality and homogeneity of variances assumptions of the dependent variables was tested using Bartlett and Leven’s test. Independent t tests were conducted to examine the symmetry of hip, knee and ankle moments between dominant and non-dominant joints during stance phase of running (p<0.05). Results: results of the present study showed no significant difference exists between dominant and non-dominant lower joints regarding the peak moments of Hip, Knee and ankle in sagittal plane during stance phase (p>0.05) as well as between peak flexion angles during running. Conclusion: Symmetry exists in lower joints sagittal moments and flexion angle during running at the constant speed. According to the results dominant and non- dominant lower joints play propulsive and absorbent roles cooperatively.