Frontiers in Sports and Active Living | 2026
Authors: Kovše J.; Papuga I.; Drobnič M.; Buyukaslan A.; Strojnik V.; Supej M.
DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2025.1721641
Journal: Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
Year: 2026
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Document Type: Article
Open Access: All Open Access; Gold Open Access; Green Open Access
Cited by: 0
Introduction: In running, female runners show higher overuse-injury rates, partly due to sex-specific anatomy and biomechanics. Pelvic motion is central to lower-limb kinematics, however, female-specific responses are underexamined. This study tested how running speed, incline, and fatigue influence pelvic rotation, tilt, and obliquity in recreational female runners. Methods: Twenty-two females completed treadmill trials at 10, 12, and 14 km/h on level ground and at 10 km/h with 5% and 10% inclines, before and after a 30-minute run at 80% heart-rate reserve to induce moderate fatigue. A 3D motion-capture system recorded pelvic rotation, tilt, and obliquity at heel-strike, toe-off, peak values, and ranges of motion. Linear mixed-effects models assessed main and interaction effects; asymmetry was quantified via symmetry index between left and right gait cycles. Results: Higher speeds increased peak pelvic rotation, tilt, and obliquity, and enlarged rotation and obliquity range of motion. A 10% incline raised peak pelvic obliquity and rotation and increased range of motion for rotation, tilt, and obliquity; a 5% incline had no measurable effect. Fatigue increased peak pelvic rotation and range of motion for rotation and tilt. A fatigue × 10% incline interaction showed that incline-related increases in tilt range of motion observed when fresh were reduced under fatigue. Pelvic tilt asymmetry rose with speed. Discussion: Speed, incline, and fatigue each modulate pelvic kinematics in recreational female runners, with effect sizes often exceeding reports from mixed-sex samples. Notably, greater frontal-plane motion at higher speeds and increased transverse-plane motion with incline and fatigue may heighten loads on the iliotibial band, hamstrings, or lumbar spine. 2026 Kovše, Papuga, Drobnič, Buyukaslan, Strojnik and Supej.
asymmetry; biomechanics; mixed effect model; pelvic kinematics; rearfoot strike; running related injury