One size does not fit all: Influence of sex and maturation on temporal-spatial parameters for adolescent long-distance runners

Runners and coaches are often interested in identifying the ideal running form to reduce the risk of injury and improve performance. While differences in pelvis and hip motion have been reported among adolescent female and male long-distance runners of different stages of physical maturation, the influence of sex and/or maturation on temporal-spatial parameters is unknown for adolescent runners. Adolescent runners of different stages of physical maturation (pre-, mid-, post-pubertal) completed an overground running analysis at a self-selected speed. We performed 2 x 3 ANCOVAs (covariate = running speed) to compare temporal-spatial parameters among sex and maturation groups. Pre-adolescents ran with higher cadences and shorter step lengths than mid- (p <= .01) and post-pubertal adolescents (p <= .01), respectively. Mid-pubertal males and post-pubertal females also ran with higher cadences and shorter step lengths than post-pubertal males (p <= .01). When step length was normalized to leg length, less physically mature runners demonstrated longer normalized step lengths (p <= .01). Caution is advised when using a one-size-fits-all approach for recommending an ideal cadence and/or step length for adolescent long-distance runners. A runner's sex, stage of physical maturation and leg length should be considered when assessing and prescribing cadence and/or step length.

Automated summary

This study examined the temporal-spatial parameters of adolescent runners at different stages of physical maturation, and found that sex and maturation have an influence on cadence and step length. It is recommended to consider the runner's sex, stage of physical maturation, and leg length when assessing and prescribing cadence and step length.