Does accelerometer location influence recreational runners' response to an accelerometer-based biofeedback gait re-education system?

Running is one of the most popular exercise modalities worldwide. However, injuries remain prevalent and are reported as a reason for running cessation. Research has demonstrated that load-based biofeedback systems may be able to reduce the loading experienced during running, potentially decreasing injury occurrence or enhancing rehabilitation. This study aimed to examine if varying accelerometer location in a load-based visual biofeedback system altered participants ability to reduce loading (peak tibial and sacral accelerations). Participants (n = 27), were randomly divided into 1 of three conditions; tibial, sacral, or treadmill-based biofeedback. In each condition, participants ran for 6 minutes (baseline), followed by 10 minutes with biofeedback (location varying based on group), and for a further 6 minutes without biofeedback. Linear mixed models that included time and biofeedback location as fixed effects, and participants as a random effect, demonstrated a significant main effect for time (p < 0.001) and biofeedback location (p = 0.05) for peak tibial accelerations, and a significant effect of time for peak sacral accelerations (p < 0.001). Practically, it appears that all biofeedback locations were effective at reducing both tibial and sacral peak accelerations and may have utility in the prevention and rehabilitation of running injuries.