The effect of a cadence retraining protocol on lower limb sagittal plane kinematics and EMG activity in a normal population of social runners

Objectives
Altering cadence is a method of running retraining. Its effect on kneeflexion, ankle dorsiflexion, tibialis anterior (TA) and medial gastrocnemius(MG) activation during running are largely unknown. This study aimed to characterise the effect increasing running cadence on ankle dorsiflexion, knee flexion and TA and MG activity.
Method
16 runners participated in the study. Subjects were measured for base line parameters and trained to increase their preferred running cadence (PC) by 10%. Kinematic and EMG data were collected for PC, post initial training (PIT) and post three weeks training (PT). PC was remeasured after six weeks.
Results
No significant changes occurred in sagittal plane kinematics or MG function. However it was noted there was a 9% decrease in ankle dorsiflexion during loading response (LR) from PC to PT, as well as an 11% decrease during pre-activation. TA activity decreased during LR and pre activation (PA) between PIT and PT. However there was no significant change in TA from PC to PT. There was however a 20% reduction in TA activity from PC to PT during LR, and a 10% decrease during PA for the same time period.
Conclusions
This study provides limited evidence increasing cadence reduces TA activity and ankle dorsiflexion during loading response. This has potential as treatment for conditions where increased ankle dorsiflexion and TA activity are contributing factors. However further research with a longer protocol is required to provide stronger empirical evidence on the topic.