ASSOCIATION BETWEEN CORE MUSCULAR ACTIVATION, KINEMATIC VARIABLES AND RUNNING ECONOMY IN LONG-DISTANCE ATHLETES

K.M. Alvis-Gómez^1,2, J.O. González-Ortíz^3,2, E.M. Mancera-Soto^1,3, C. Castillo⁴

¹Universidad Nacional de Colombia (National University of Colombia), Departamento del Movimiento Corporal Humano (Department of Human Body Movement), Bogotá, D.C., Colombia, ²Mechanics and Neuromechanics Movement Analysis Research Group, Department of Human Body Movement, National University of Colombia (Universidad Nacional de Colombia), Bogotá, D.C., Colombia, ³Master Sports and Physical Activity Physiotherapy Programme, Department of Human Body Moveme, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia, ⁴Fundación Universitaria Del Área Andina (Andean Area University Foundation), Bogotá, Colombia

Background: Running performance and economy in endurance sports is influenced by several factors: biomechanical, anthropometric, physiological, training, and extrinsic. Biomechanical factors refer to the mechanical characteristics of the running technique in relation to segmental and joint angulations, amplitude, and symmetry of movements; physiological factors are adaptations of the cardiopulmonary system, energy metabolism, and muscular system to perform an activity, training factors refer to the adequate dosage of effort, anthropometric factors are the quantification of essential body components to understand the effects of physical exercise and finally, extrinsic factors such as altitude, temperature, humidity and footwear that influence performance (Sullivan, 2019).

Purpose: Determine associations between core muscle activation, movement kinematics, oxygen consumption, and energy expenditure necessary to maintain a race at subthreshold intensity for prolonged periods without compromising the stability of cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic functions.

Methods: Analytical observational study with non-probabilistic convenience sampling composed of 12 long-distance athletes between 18-39 years old, linked departmental Athletics League that met the inclusion criteria established to participate in the study.

Results: The results showed that the core muscle group during the first 5 minutes presented a level of activation in the first category "increase in muscle strength" with the purpose of responding to the intensity and mechanical demand in the phase deficit of muscle oxygen. During minutes 5 to 10, the core muscle group presented a level of activation in category 3 "muscle recovery" except for the LES muscle, which extended its level in increasing muscle strength. In minutes 10 to 15, various interpretations were found at the level of muscle activation: (1) the LES muscle presented a category of muscle fatigue, (2) the LGM muscle presented an increase in muscle strength, (3) the external oblique and LRA they were in “muscle recovery” and (4) the other muscles reached a stable level of muscle activation. In the final period of 15 to 20 minutes the interpretations were heterogeneous again: (1) the erector spinae muscle group, gluteus maximus (LGM) and rectus abdominis (RRA) showed muscle fatigue, (2) the internal obliques, LOE and LRA were in the category of "muscle recovery" and (3) ROE presented an increase in muscle strength.

Conclusions: Relationships between anterior trunk tilt and temporal recruitment of erector spinae muscle fibers were presented; and pelvic movements of anteversion and rotation showed correlations with the temporal recruitment of the muscle fibers of the erector spinae and gluteus maximus.
Within the biomechanical factors evaluated: trunk rotation movements and pelvic obliquity in the support phase are the most relevant elements to determine the running economy of a highly trained athlete. Likewise for the physiological factors evaluated: the %MVIC of the erector spinae muscle is the only variable that is highly and positively correlated with running economy at subthreshold intensity.

Implications: The results describe the level of core muscle activation; This evidence allows us to establish new hypotheses about the %MVIC or the spectral frequency to use the core muscles in a correct and efficient way during the race to improve running economy, and performance or minimize the risk of injury.

Funding acknowledgements: Universidad Nacional de Colombia (National University of Colombia) and Andean Area University Foundation

Keywords:
Running Economy
Core Muscle
Biomechanical Analysis

Topics:
Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing/physical activity
Sport & sports injuries
Musculoskeletal

Did this work require ethics approval? Yes

Institution: UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL DE COLOMBIA

Committee: Ethics Committee Faculty of Medicine- National University of Colombia

Ethics number: CE-008-065-2020