Retraining program with real-time feedback for reducing impact-loading variables during running: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of retraining programs in combination with real-time feedback for reducing impact-loading variables during running. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources PubMed Eligibility criteria for selecting studies Studies on interventions that utilized feedback training during running in regular runners free of injury, of any age, evaluating impact loading or loading rates as outcomes measures. Results A total of nine articles describing thirteen interventions were obtained through systematic review. Data suitable for meta-analyses on vertical average loading rate (VALR) and for vertical instantaneous loading rate (VILR) were available for thirteen and ten studies, respectively. There was a clear evidence for a positive impact of gait retraining with feedback among runners on reducing both measures (summary Effect Size (ES)=1.43, 95%CI: 1.09, 1.77, I2 =77.2% for VALR and ES=1.53, 95%CI: 1.12, 1.94, I2=78.1% for VILR). Stratified analyses showed stronger effects in older participants who run less distance per week, on those presenting lower baseline VALR and VILR values, in gait retraining with just one session, with audio-visual feedback, receiving continuous feedback, and with the post-training reassessment during the feedback period or immediately after and which had lower velocity during variables measurements. Conclusion Retraining program in combination with real-time feedback is effective in reducing the impact-loading variables VALR and VILR. Therefore, this strategy is effective to reduce running-related injuries, once higher impact-loading variables are related to it.