Feedback Methods for Healthy Runners

Age: < 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Keller Army Community Hospital

Disqualifiers: Lower extremity pain, Back pain, Surgery, Pregnancy, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests methods to help runners improve their technique by reducing foot contact time with the ground. Participants will experience three types of feedback: real-time auditory feedback (hearing cues), real-time verbal feedback (spoken instructions), and real-time visual feedback (visual signals) to determine the most effective method. The trial seeks military members or cadets who run at least 2 miles three times a week and have no recent injuries or surgeries. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to explore innovative feedback methods to enhance running performance.

Do I need to stop taking my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that these running retraining techniques are safe for healthy runners?

Research has shown that real-time feedback methods—sound, spoken instructions, and visual cues—are generally safe and well-tolerated by runners.

Studies indicate that real-time sound feedback can effectively help runners change their running style. This feedback is often used to reduce injury risk without causing harm.

Real-time spoken feedback is also considered safe. Wearable devices provide this feedback, helping runners improve their technique and possibly lower injury risk. No significant negative effects have been reported from using spoken feedback while running.

Real-time visual feedback is another safe option. It can help runners breathe more efficiently and enhance overall performance. Wearable devices offering this feedback have not shown any safety issues.

Overall, these feedback methods improve running techniques and prevent injuries. They are widely considered safe, with no major side effects reported in the reviewed studies. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores innovative feedback methods that could transform how runners improve their form and performance. Unlike traditional coaching, which often relies on delayed feedback, these methods provide real-time auditory, verbal, and visual cues to runners as they move. This instant feedback can help runners make immediate adjustments, potentially reducing the risk of injury and enhancing efficiency. By comparing these real-time feedback techniques, the trial aims to identify the most effective method for helping runners achieve better results quickly and safely.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for decreasing ground contact time in runners?

Research has shown that real-time feedback can help runners improve their techniques and performance. In this trial, participants will experience different feedback methods: auditory, verbal, and visual. Hearing feedback while running can change their movement, reducing injury risk. Verbal feedback enhances performance and motivates runners to continue. Visual feedback allows runners to notice progress and make quick adjustments, lessening body strain. These feedback methods aim to make running safer and more efficient by providing instant information that helps runners adjust their movements. ^{3 6 7 8 9}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for military service members or USMA cadets aged 17-60 who run at least 2 miles three times a week, can speak English fluently, and are able to run continuously for 15 minutes. It's not for those with recent lower body surgery or pain, running restrictions, or women who are pregnant or recently gave birth.

Inclusion Criteria

Run at least 2 miles three times per week for the past 3 months

Fluent in the English language to read and provide informed consent and follow study instructions

I am a military member or USMA cadet aged 17-60.

Exclusion Criteria

I have had lower back or leg pain in the last 3 months.

I have not had surgery on my lower back or legs in the last 6 months.

Currently on a profile that restricts or limits running

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Participants' baseline running metrics are assessed before applying retraining conditions

1 session

1 visit (in-person)

Running Retraining

Participants undergo three different running retraining conditions to assess changes in ground contact time and other variables

1 session

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for any changes in running metrics post-retraining

1-2 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Real-time Auditory Feedback
• Real-time Verbal Feedback
• Real-time Visual Feedback

Trial Overview The study aims to find the best way to reduce runners' ground contact time by comparing three feedback methods: visual, auditory, and verbal. Participants will try each method while changes in their running biomechanics are measured.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Run Retraining Conditions Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Single-arm, within subject, repeated measures design. All participants will run at baseline and then under 3 different running conditions.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Keller Army Community Hospital

Lead Sponsor

Trials

16

Recruited

2,100+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9028061/

Review of Real-Time Biomechanical Feedback Systems in ... In both studies, insole sensors and simple processing devices were used to provide auditory feedback to the user about their walking and running performance.

2. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/360047817_Review_of_Real-Time_Biomechanical_Feedback_Systems_in_Sport_and_Rehabilitation

(PDF) Review of Real-Time Biomechanical Feedback ... This paper provides a literature review of BMF systems in sports and rehabilitation. Our motivation was to examine the history of the field to capture its ...

3. tandfonline.com tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02640414.2024.2374637

Enhancing running injury prevention strategies with real- ... Real-time biofeedback interventions are effective in lowering loading variables associated with RRIs. The impact is more substantial with sustained training.

4. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38967313/

Enhancing running injury prevention strategies with real- ... Real-time biofeedback interventions are effective in lowering loading variables associated with RRIs. The impact is more substantial with sustained training.

5. onlinelibrary.wiley.com onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/tsm2.110

Using real‐time biofeedback to alter running biomechanics ... In this study, we assessed the effectiveness of a mobile feedback system on transitioning runners to a non-rearfoot strike (NRFS) pattern ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9821460/

Auditory interaction between runners: Does footstep sound ... This study aimed to investigate the effect of footsteps of a neighboring runner (NR) on the main runner's step frequency (SF), heart rate (HR), and rating of ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1466853X19306431

The effectiveness of real-time haptic feedback gait ... Haptic feedback reduced tibial acceleration by 50% post-intervention and 41% at 4 weeks on treadmill, and 28% and 17% overground. It is as effective as other ...

8. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/382026725_Enhancing_running_injury_prevention_strategies_with_real-time_biofeedback_A_systematic_review_and_meta-analysis

(PDF) Enhancing running injury prevention strategies with ... ... runners have been proposed based on real-time auditory feedback of tibial acceleration. These methods were developed using treadmill running.

9. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10905988/

The Effect of Wearable-Based Real-Time Feedback on ... Wearables offer a promising method to quantify running technique and training intensity outside of the laboratory, and they can provide real-time feedback on ...