Research has suggested that increasing running cadence (steps/minute) by 5-10% can reduce loading at the knee and hip joints, and this has spurred interest in the use of cadence training in clinical settings. In particular,  Heiderscheit et al. (2011)  found that increasing cadence reduced peak vertical ground reaction force, peak hip adduction, peak hip flexion, and peak knee flexion (among other things). Excessive hip adduction, for one example, has been associated with injuries such as patellofemoral pain syndrome (Runner’s knee) and iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS).

One of the challenges with gait retraining methods employed in clinical settings is that the equipment required is not always accessible to runners outside of the clinic (e.g., accelerometers, force treadmills). This can require repeated, often costly appointments, especially if they are not covered by insurance. Cadence training has the advantage of being easy to do outside of the clinical setting using smartphone apps, metronomes, or fitness watches that can measure cadence in real time.

Questions that arise are whether runners can make lasting modifications to their running cadence on their own, whether those modifications might yield the same loading changes observed acutely in the lab, and whether there are any negative consequences to cadence change such as a loss of running efficiency. A  recent study led by Jocelyn Hafer of the University of Massachusetts  addressed each of these issues. Published in the Journal of Sports Sciences, the study looks at how a 6-week cadence training protocol effects running biomechanics and efficiency.

Here is the abstract of the study:

Methods

In this study, researchers screened for runners with a cadence between 150 and 170 steps per minute, which is on the low end of the range of cadences typically observed (six runners were included in the study, so a relatively small sample size). They then had these runners train for 6 weeks with a goal of running at least 50% of their miles at a cadence 10% higher than their baseline. To accomplish this they could use either a metronome app or songs with tempos corresponding to the target cadence. A variety of metabolic and biomechanical measurements were taken before and after the training period to assess the effects of the retraining protocol. They also looked at immediate effects of increasing cadence at the outset to see if changes would be similar to those previously reported in the literature (they were).

Results

After the six week training protocol, the runners preferred cadence had increased significantly from around 166 steps/min on average to around 170 steps/min. Thus, though they did not adopt a full 10% increase through the training, cadence did increase significantly. Along with the preferred cadence increase, the runners also exhibited reduced ankle dorsiflexion at contact (less pronounced heel strike), reduced peak hip adduction angle (the thigh did not angle medially/inward as much), and reduced vertical loading rate. Running efficiency was not significantly different.

Comments

Though the sample size was small (the authors admit this and refer to it as a pilot study in the title), it is encouraging to see that cadence training can lead runners to modify their form, and that changes can alter variables associated with injury (especially with the small cadence increase that they observed). Reduction in hip adduction angle could benefit those with patellofemoral pain or ITBS, and reduced vertical loading rate could benefit those with a history of tibial stress fracture. It’s also encouraging that these benefits are accrued without a hit to running efficiency.

I would like to see this study completed with a larger sample of runners, but it was encouraging the significant changes were found even with this small sample. I’d also like to see some analysis of which method of cadence training is most effective for a runner (music, metronome, real-time feedback via an app or watch).

All things considered, these results do suggest that increasing cadence is one option to consider for those experiencing ilitibial band syndrome, patellofemoral pain syndrome, or past tibial stress fracture. I also like that this is an intervention that runners can undertake on their own without the need to make repeated visits to a clinic. A useful next step would be an interventional study where runners experiencing one of these conditions undergo a cadence training program and symptoms are monitored before and after.

Article credit:  Runblogger  /  CC BY
Cover photo:  Justyn Warner