Thoracic-worn accelerometers detect fatigue-related changes in vertical stiffness during sprinting

Horsley, BJ, Tofari, PJ, Halson, SL, Kemp, JG, Johnston, RD, and Cormack, SJ. Thoracic-worn accelerometers detect fatigue-related changes in vertical stiffness during sprinting. J Strength Cond Res 38(2): 283–289, 2024—Thoracic-mounted accelerometers are valid and reliable for analyzing gait characteristics and may provide the opportunity to assess running-related neuromuscular fatigue (NMF) during training and competition without the need for additional tests, such as a countermovement jump (CMJ). However, their sensitivity for detecting fatigue-related changes in gait across different speeds is unclear. We, therefore, assessed the changes in accelerometer-derived gait characteristics, including vertical stiffness (Kvert), following a repeated sprint protocol (RSP). Sixteen recreationally active subjects performed single and repeated CMJs on a force plate and 40 m run throughs overground at 3–4, 5–6, and 7–8 m·s−1 pre-post a 12 × 40 m RSP. Gait characteristics (contact time, step frequency, step length, Kvert, etc.) were derived from an accelerometer contained within a global navigation satellite system unit on the thoracic spine using a validated algorithm. Changes in running gait and CMJ performance were assessed using a linear mixed-effects model (95% confidence interval [95% CI]; effect size [ES]). Significance was set at p < 0.05. A significant reduction in Kvert occurred at 7–8 m·s−1 following the RSP (−8.51 kN·m−1 [−13.9, −3.11]; p = 0.007; ES [95% CI] = −0.39 [−0.62, −0.15]) which coincided with a decreased jump height (−0.03 m [−0.04, −0.01]; p = 0.002; ES [95% CI] = −0.87 [−1.41, −0.30]). However, all other gait characteristics were not significantly different irrespective of speed. Thoracic-worn accelerometers can detect changes in Kvert at 7–8 m·s−1 which may be useful for monitoring NMF during sprinting. However, a RSP does not result in altered gait mechanics in subsequent running at lower speeds.

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