Attenuation of Foot Pressure During Running on Four Different Surfaces: Asphalt, Concrete, Rubber, and Natural Grass

SLR - July 2013 - Steven M. Hoffman

Reference: Tessutti V, Ribeiro AP, Trombini-Souza F, Sacco IC. Attenuation of foot pressure during running on four different surfaces: asphalt, concrete, rubber, and natural grass. J Sports Sci. 2012;30(14):1545-50.

 

Scientific Literature Review

Reviewed by: Steven M. Hoffman, DPM

Residency Program: Southern Arizona VA Health Care System

Podiatric Relevance: The practice of running has consistently increased worldwide, and with it, related lower limb injuries. The type of running surface has been associated with running injury etiology. In addition, other factors such as the relationship between the amount and intensity of training are also important. There is still controversy in the literature regarding the biomechanical effects of different types of running surfaces on foot-floor interaction. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of running on asphalt, concrete, natural grass, and rubber on in-shoe pressure patterns in adult recreational runners.
 

Methods: Forty-seven recreational runners (34 males and 13 females) were studied. The mean age was 35.1 years for males and 38.9 years for females. Participants had been running a mean of 38 ± 13 km/week, while the mean running speed of their last 10 km competition was 11.7 km/h. Participants had all averaged at least 20 km/week for the past year and had experience in running long distance competitions as well as experience running on grass, asphalt, and sidewalks (concrete) with no musculoskeletal injury in the prior six months. Participants wearing standardized shoe gear ran twice for 40 m on all four different surfaces at 12 km/h ± 5 percent. Peak pressure, pressure-time integral, and contact time were recorded by Pedar X insoles.

Results: Asphalt and concrete were similar for all plantar variables and pressure zones. Running on grass produced peak pressures 9.3 percent to 16.6 percent lower (P < 0.001) than the other surfaces in the rearfoot and 4.7 percent to 12.3 percent (P < 0.05) lower in the forefoot. The contact time on rubber was greater than on concrete for the rearfoot and midfoot. The behavior of rubber was similar to that obtained for the rigid surfaces - concrete and asphalt - possibly because of its time of usage (five years). Running on natural grass attenuates in-shoe plantar pressures in recreational runners.
 

Conclusions:  If a runner controls the amount and intensity of practice, running on grass may reduce the total stress on the musculoskeletal system compared with the total musculoskeletal stress when running on more rigid surfaces, such as asphalt and concrete.