For many parents with young children, getting back into a running routine means dragging out the jogging stroller. While it's no surprise that pushing a bulky three-wheeler can feel harder and change the way you run, a new study led by researchers from Penn State Berks found that runners experience less impact per step, reducing their overall risk for injury.
The study, which was published in the journal PLOS One, also revealed a potential trade-off. While the impact per step is lower when running with a stroller, the torsion or twisting forces of the foot pushing off the ground increased. This motion, however, is not as consistently associated with injuries as step impact, the researchers said.
"While there are a lot of data on running economy and effort, this is the first to look at how loading forces change with stroller running," said Allison Altman Singles, associate professor of kinesiology and of mechanical engineering and senior author on the study. "Understanding this 'biomechanical trade-off' could inform stroller design, coaching strategies, as well as injury prevention and rehabilitation protocols for those who run with strollers."