Biomechanics of Trail Running Performance: Quantification of Spatio-Temporal Parameters by Using Low Cost Sensors in Ecological Conditions

The recent popularity of trail running and the use portable sensors capable measuring many performance results have led to growth new fields in sports science experimentation. Trail is a challenging sport; it usually involves uphill, which physically demanding therefore requires adaptation style. main objectives this study were initially three “low-cost” sensors. These low-cost can be acquired by most practitioners or trainers. In second step, measurements taken ecological conditions orderly expose runners real course. Furthermore, combine collected data analyze efficient techniques according typology terrain taken, as well on whole circuit less than 10 km. used (i) Stryd sensor (Stryd Inc., Boulder, CO, USA) based an inertial measurement unit (IMU), 6 axes (3-axis gyroscope, 3-axis accelerometer) fixed top runner’s shoe, (ii) Global Positioning System (GPS) watch (iii) heart belt. Twenty-eight (25 men, 3 women: average age 36 ± 8 years; height: 175.4 7.2 cm; weight: 68.7 8.7 kg) different levels completed single race over 8.5 km course with 490 m positive elevation gain. This was performed types uphill (UH), downhill (DH), road sections (R) at their competitive pace. On these course, cadence (SF), step length (SL), ground contact time (GCT), flight (FT), vertical oscillation (VO), leg stiffness (Kleg), power (P) measured Stryd. Heart rate, speed, ascent, descent speed rate belt GPS watch. showed that ≤10 criteria for obtaining better loop, determined test, consistency effort. high percentage climbs (>30%), two stand out: maintaining SF short SL decreasing but increasing SL. addition, has been shown steep (>28%) technical descents, higher. happened when shorter lower technically descents.