Current Developments and Future Directions in Using IMUs for Injury Prevention in Running

Running is a popular activity that contributes to better physical and mental health. Running is, however, associated with high numbers of running related injuries (RRI) [1]. The etiology of these injuries is assumed to be multifactorial but still not fully clear. A recent systematic review showed that training load management and kinematic and kinetic factors are associated with RRIs, but few direct causal relations were found [2]. It is assumed that accumulating fatigue also plays an important role, negatively impacting the preferred movement pattern of a runner, leading to overload [3]. The main reason that the etiology of RRIs is still unclear is that most studies have been performed in the standardized and controlled gait laboratory. The limited measurement volume and/or the cyclical nature of the treadmill are not representative of the setting where people typically run and get injured. Therefore, experiments need to be performed in the real world to get a better understanding of running RRIs to eventually prevent them. Inertial magnetic measurement units (IMUs) allow for three dimensional assessment of (changes in) running technique in the sport specific setting.