8 of Lower Extremity inematic Asymmetry in Running

study investigated the phenomenon of kinematic asymmetry of the lower limbs in distance runners. The subjects, 29 male distance runners, were recorded by high-speed filming while running on a motor 'driven treadmill under two experimental conditions (with running shoes and barefoot). Twelve selected kinematic variables were subjected to multivariate statistical andysis. It was demonstrated that the lower limbs of distance runners possess a ultifaceted kinematic asymmetry for touchdown and foot contact as well for the entire phase of foot support of the running stride. Significant nematic asymmehies were found in the lower leg angle, rearfoot angle, ediolateral velocity of the foot, and in some temporal variables. Contempory running shoes seem to significantly change the degree of rearfoot contro asymmetry observed in normal barefoot running.-The findings of the present study confirm previous data suggesting that the phenomenon of kinematic asymmetry in runners is warranted.