Gait Analysis Series Part 4: Dr. Allison Gruber - Runchatlive Ep.64

03/08/23 • 61 min

In Part 4 of our four part GAIT ANALYSIS special, guest Dr Allison Gruber, Assistant Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at Indiana University Bloomington, discusses what the research tells us about footwear and footstrike in relation to reducing running injury and increasing running performance.
Dr Allison Gruber has been at the forefront of running related research for more than a decade, with over 100 publications. Her primary research interests include the mechanisms of running related injuries and determinants of metabolic cost and locomotion.
Other Episodes In This Series:

Part 1 with Dr. Max Paquette, Associate Professor of the University of Memphis Human Performance
Center.
Part 2 with Dr JF Esculier, Vice-President & Director of Research & Development at The Running Clinic.
Part 3 with Dr Izzy Moore, Associate Professor in Human Movement & Sports Medicine at Cardiff Metropolitan University.

GAIT ANALYSIS COURSE IN MAY
If you are interested in starting a Gait Analysis service or updating it to be more evidence informed, podcast host Matt Phillips will be giving his course ‘Gait Analysis For Runners: A Modern Approach’ in May 2023.
• Two live ONLINE mornings - Saturday 6th & 13th May
• One IN PERSON full day - Saturday 20th May at The School in Exeter.
Full details at Runchatlive.com and The School Website.

Topics discussed with Dr Allison Gruber in this episode:

0:00 Intro, including details of 'Gait Analysis 3 Day Course' in UK with Matt Phillips
4:40 Dr Allison Gruber's views on the use of Gait Analysis for runners
7:50 Should we be trying to reduce Ground Impact Force for all runners?
11:16 Prospective Studies vs Retrospective Studies
13:23 Dr Allison Gruber on Researchgate. A look at some of her studies in chronological order: 'Metabolic Cost of Altering Foot Strike Patterns in Running, 2009'
20:40 Are many coaches & therapists still selling forefoot strike as the best type of footstrike for runners?
23:57 What are some of the dangers of encouraging all runners to adopt a forefoot strike?
30:18 'Achilles Tendon Forces in Forefoot and Rearfoot Running' 2011
33:10 Question from live listener: "Isn't it necessary to address all components of running (cadence, overstriding, etc.) and not only just footstrike pattern? 35:07 Shifting load from ankle to knee by changing footstrike
39:20 Changing cadence will potentially increase metabolic cost for at least a short period of time
41:43 Question from live listener: "I've read that cadence below 165 has a higher injury risk... have you heard of that?"
44:11 'Footstrike patterns and race performance in the 2017 IAAF World Championship men’s 10,000 m final' 2021
50:10 'The Missing Link in Running Injury Research: Nonrunning Physical Activity' 2022
52:30 Knee load comparison during Standing, Walking & Running
58:50 Follow Allison Gruber on Social Media: Twitter @IUBiomechanics

Useful Links

Our sincere thanks to Dr Allison Gruber for giving up her time to be a guest!

Please Support Our Podcast!
If you enjoy & appreciate what we do on Runchatlive Podcast, please take a couple of minutes to leave us a rating & review. It really does make all the difference in helping us reach out to a larger audience. iPhone users you can do this from your phone, Android users you will need to do it from iTunes.

Part 1 with Dr. Max Paquette, Associate Professor of the University of Memphis Human Performance
Center.
Part 2 with Dr JF Esculier, Vice-President & Director of Research & Development at The Running Clinic.
Part 3 with Dr Izzy Moore, Associate Professor in Human Movement & Sports Medicine at Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Topics discussed with Dr Allison Gruber in this episode:

0:00 Intro, including details of 'Gait Analysis 3 Day Course' in UK with Matt Phillips
4:40 Dr Allison Gruber's views on the use of Gait Analysis for runners
7:50 Should we be trying to reduce Ground Impact Force for all runners?
11:16 Prospective Studies vs Retrospective Studies
13:23 Dr Allison Gruber on Researchgate. A look at some of her studies in chronological order: 'Metabolic Cost of Altering Foot Strike Patterns in Running, 2009'
20:40 Are many coaches & therapists still selling forefoot strike as the best type of footstrike for runners?
23:57 What are some of the dangers of encouraging all runners to adopt a forefoot strike?
30:18 'Achilles Tendon Forces in Forefoot and Rearfoot Running' 2011
33:10 Question from live listener: "Isn't it necessary to address all components of running (cadence, overstriding, etc.) and not only just footstrike pattern? 35:07 Shifting load from ankle to knee by changing footstrike
39:20 Changing cadence will potentially increase metabolic cost for at least a short period of time
41:43 Question from live listener: "I've read that cadence below 165 has a higher injury risk... have you heard of that?"
44:11 'Footstrike patterns and race performance in the 2017 IAAF World Championship men’s 10,000 m final' 2021
50:10 'The Missing Link in Running Injury Research: Nonrunning Physical Activity' 2022
52:30 Knee load comparison during Standing, Walking & Running
58:50 Follow Allison Gruber on Social Media: Twitter @IUBiomechanics

Useful Links

Our sincere thanks to Dr Allison Gruber for giving up her time to be a guest!

Previous Episode

Gait Analysis Series Part 3: Dr. Izzy Moore - Runchatlive Ep.63

In Part 3 of our four part GAIT ANALYSIS special, guest Dr Izzy Moore, Associate Professor in Human Movement & Sports Medicine at Cardiff Metropolitan University, discusses what we should be focussing on when working with female runners, in order to to reduce risk of injury and maximise performance.
Other Episodes:

Part 1 with Dr. Max Paquette, Associate Professor of the University of Memphis Human Performance
Center is available on all popular podcast apps and YouTube.
Part 2 with Dr JF Esculier, Vice-President & Director of Research & Development at The Running Clinic.
Part 3 with Dr Izzy Moore, Associate Professor in Human Movement & Sports Medicine at Cardiff Metropolitan University.
Part 4: JOIN US LIVE Thursday March 2nd 8pm (GMT): Dr. Allison Gruber, Assistant Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at Indiana University Bloomington.

Topics discussed with Dr Izzy Moore in this episode:

1:20 Details of all episodes of this Gait Analysis Series
2:15 Dr Izzy Moore - over a decade of running related research
6:40 Running Researchers that influenced Dr Izzy Moore: Dr Daniel Lieberman, Dr Irene Davis, Dr Allison Gruber
11:00 Hardware & software that Dr Moore uses at Cardiff University for running related research
14:20 Dr Moore's studies with Grainne Donnelly & Emma Brockwell 'Running During Pregnancy & Post Partum, Parts A & B' (2022)
22:30 The relationship of sex-specific kinematic variables & running economy
27:10 Should we be encouraging running form changes in female runners pursuing improved running performance?
33:00 Camille Herron: Interesting example of femoral anteversion
34:00 Sprint Mechanics vs Distance Running
36:30 The relationship of sex-specific kinematic variables & running injury
39:40 Spatiotemporal variables: Cadence and Step Length
48:20 Free Software: Predicting Optimal Gait Characteristics Spreadsheet (link below)
49:30 Breast Biomechanics
55:20 Follow Dr Izzy Moore on Twitter: @IzzyMoorePhD

Useful Links

Our sincere thanks to Dr Izzy Moore for giving up her time to be a guest! Join us for Part 4 on Thursday March 2nd 8pm (GMT) with guest Dr. Allison Gruber, Assistant Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at Indiana University Bloomington.

Please Support Our Podcast!
If you appreciate what we do on Runchatlive Podcast, please take a couple of minutes to leave us a rating & review. It really does make all the difference in helping us reach out to a larger audience. iPhone users you can do this from your phone, Android users you will need to do it from iTunes.

Next Episode

RCL65: ’Breathwork & Nasal Breathing for Performance’ with special guest David ’Jacko’ Jackson

Is nasal breathing better for running? David 'Jacko' Jackson, former professional rugby player forced to retire in 2013 due to traumatic brain injury, recently ran up & down Mount Snowdon 6 times in 24 hours. He also ran a 216km Ultra Marathon, breathing just through his nose. In this episode of Runchatlive Podcast, he discusses how efficient functional breathing using the nose instead of the mouth can be key in not just recovery from brain injury but also improving athletic performance.
With 316 appearances for Nottingham RFC, and 102 tries across a career of 13 years, David 'Jacko' Jackson was forced to retire in 2013 due to ‘TBI’ - Traumatic Brain Injury. Re–training as a Strength & Conditioning Coach, David co-founded the School of Calisthenics, became a Master Instructor with the Oxygen Advantage, and founded ProBreathwork.com. In this episode, originally recorded for the Sports Therapy Association Podcast, Jacko talks to us about his incredible journey.

Topics discussed (with time stamps):

0:00 Intro
4:30 Welcome David 'Jacko' Jackson
5:55 History of Jacko's concussions & eventual need to retire.
12:00 The lack of understanding in treatment of brain trauma
13:25 How breathwork can improve brain health
20:15 Many people don't understand the basics of breathing
23:18 Nasal breathing & the diaphragm
29:50 Free Course: 'Foundation of Breathing'
34:36 Difference between The Oxygen Advantage and The Wim Hof Method
38:00 Understanding the role of CO2 in breathing
45:40 Why does nasal breathing improve our sensitivity to CO2?
51:30 Not just about nose vs mouth
59:00 Running up Snowdon six times in 24 hours and 216km Ultra Marathon
1:05:00 How to Follow Jacko & details of courses
1:06:55 Rooted Life Website (Includes Lucy Williamson's Gut Health Course) & Details of October Retreat.

Useful Links

Website: https://www.probreathwork.com/
Free Course: 'Foundation of Breathing'
Free Coiurse: 'Stress & Anxiety Management'
Instagram: @jacko.david.jackson
Twitter: @JackoHumanFlag
YouTube: @jacko-breathwork
The Oxygen Advantage Website
Details of October Retreat

Our sincere thanks to David 'Jacko' Jackson for giving up his time to be a guest on the show!
Want to join the live recordings?
If you are a soft tissue therapist who works with runners, we recommend you check out the Sports Therapy Association Podcast (also hosted by Matt Phillips). It is recorded live every TUESDAY at 8pm on the Sports Therapy Association YOUTUBE CHANNEL. Everyone is welcome - you do not have to be an STA member. If you cannot join live, be sure to subscribe to the 'Sports Therapy Association Podcast' on all popular podcast apps to be notified when new episodes are available.
Please Support Our Podcast!
If you appreciate what we do on Runchatlive Podcast, please take a couple of minutes to leave us a rating & review on Apple Podcasts. It really does make all the difference in helping us reach out to a larger audience. iPhone users you can do this from your phone, Android users you will need to do it from iTunes.
Questions?
Email: [email protected]