Classifying Impact Loading Using Axial Peak Tibial Acceleration and Impact-Related Biomechanical Differences During Treadmill Running

Measuring lower extremity impact acceleration is a common strategy to identify runners with increased injury risk. However, existing axial peak tibial acceleration (PTA) thresholds for determining high-impact runners typically rely on small samples or fixed running speeds. This study aimed to describe the distribution of axial PTA among runners at their preferred running speed, determine an appropriate adjustment for investigating impact magnitude at different speeds, and compare biomechanics between runners classified by impact magnitude. A total of 171 runners ran on an instrumented treadmill at their preferred running speed during 3D motion capture. Axial PTA was collected at the distal tibia. The relationship between axial PTA and running speed was investigated using linear regression. Runners were categorized into impact sub-groups, with high- and low-impact runners identified if their axial PTA was ±1 standard deviation of the model predicted value. Differences in demographics, training, and running biomechanics between impact sub-groups were compared. Mean axial PTA was 7.8 g across all running speeds. Axial PTA increased with running speed, with a 1.7 g increase for every 1.0 m/s increase. There were no differences in axial PTA between males and females (p = 0.214) and lower limbs (p = 0.312). High-impact runners had higher vertical loading rates (p < 0.001) and greater ankle dorsiflexion at initial contact (p < 0.001) compared to low-impact runners. No differences in age, body mass, height, or weekly running distances were observed across impact sub-groups. This study proposes a method to identify the impact classification of runners based on their axial PTA for screening, monitoring, or gait retraining.