Factors associated with self-selected running cadence in recreational runners

Changing running cadence (RC) for runners are current subjects to avoid injuries but no research identify specific components influencing RC. Factors influencing could include amongst others runner’s morphology, technique, experience, equipment, performance and injury. Study purpose was to examine relationship between Internal and external runners factors with RC. 316 recreational runners (155 women and 161 men; age 20.3 ±2.2years) reported weight, height, years of practice, distance per week, frequency, regularity, injuries to find a potential relationship between RC and factors. RC (161.5 ±8.2 step/min) was measured on subjects at self-selected speed. Height appeared in model of step-wise multivariate regression (SWMR) (p<0.001) to explain RC. Weight was correlated with RC (r (95% [CI]) =-0.31, p<0.00) but did not appear in model. Years of practice, distance per week and frequency had no correlation with RC but distance per week appeared in SWMR (p=0.151). Posterior chain flexibility was not correlated with RC but appeared in multivariate regression (p=0.115). VMA was negatively correlated with RC (r (95%[CI]) =-0.17, p=0.008). Middle foot strike (p=0.066) and rearfoot strike (p= 0.320) appeared in SWMR. Hence, study showed associations between small leg length and an increase running stride. anthropometrics should be considered when talking about RC.