Introduction: A Practical Trade-Off for Parents Who Run
For many parents with young children, lacing up for a run means grabbing the jogging stroller along with running shoes. A recent study from Penn State Berks, published in PLOS ONE, sheds light on what happens to loading forces when runners push a stroller. The findings highlight a practical biomechanical trade-off: while each step experiences less impact, the torsional forces generated while pushing off are higher. The study’s authors note that this shift in loading could influence injury risk, equipment design, and coaching strategies for stroller runners.
Lower Impact Per Step: A Hidden Benefit
Researchers measured loading forces during treadmill running with and without a stroller. The key takeaway is a reduction in impact per step when a stroller is involved. This means less abrupt force on the joints and a potential decrease in repetitive stress injuries for some runners. The relief from high-impact landings could be especially meaningful for individuals returning to running after childbirth or those managing knee or ankle concerns.
According to the study’s senior author, Allison Altman Singles, associate professor of kinesiology and mechanical engineering, this is the first work to quantify how carrying a stroller alters loading patterns during running. The results could inform practical decisions for runners and clinicians alike, providing a data-backed argument for how to structure training and progression in stroller-running programs.
The Biomechanical Trade-Off: Increased Foot-Torsion
The flip side of the equation is an uptick in torsion—twisting forces in the foot as it pushes off the ground. While this motion is more pronounced with a stroller, the researchers caution that there isn’t a consistent, direct link between torsion and injury risk, at least not in the same way as step impact. This nuance suggests that injury prevention for stroller runners may require a broader approach that considers both the cushioning available in footwear and the training load accumulated across sessions.
“Understanding this biomechanical trade-off could inform stroller design, coaching strategies, as well as injury prevention and rehabilitation protocols for those who run with strollers,” Singles said. In practical terms, coaches and clinicians might focus on strengthening the lower legs, ankles, and hips to better tolerate the rotational forces while offering guidance on stroller width, wheel type, and weight distribution to modulate loading.
Implications for Training, Equipment, and Rehabilitation
The study’s insights open several avenues for action. For trainers, it may be prudent to adjust progression when introducing stroller runs, emphasizing gradual exposure to stroller loading and targeted strength work for the ankle complex and Achilles tendon. For parents, the findings suggest that listening to your body and prioritizing form—shorter strides, controlled cadences, and stable stroller handling—can help manage the added demands of stroller running.
Equipment designers might use these results to refine stroller geometry. Features that promote even weight distribution, smoother off-ground push-offs, and reduced twisting moments could help minimize cumulative stress without sacrificing the convenience that parents value.
What This Means for Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation
Injury prevention programs for stroller runners should balance cardiovascular conditioning with biomechanical resilience. A holistic plan could include: targeted strengthening for the lower extremity pairs, proprioceptive training, and gradual loading strategies that take into account both impact and torsion. For individuals recovering from lower-extremity injuries, a rehab protocol might incorporate progressive stroller-running elements once symptom-free thresholds are met and movement quality is restored.
Conclusion: Informed Running with a Stroller
The Penn State Berks study paints a nuanced picture: stroller running can lessen per-step impact, potentially benefiting joint health, but introduces greater foot torsion that warrants attention. By staying mindful of these biomechanical shifts, runners can tailor training, choose appropriate equipment, and pursue safer, more sustainable stroller-run routines while continuing to enjoy the benefits of being outdoors with their children.
