Does running at an angle affect running economy? Metabolic, kinematic, and EMG adaptations to running on a camber

Distance runners will often encounter a camber during running. Camber refers to when the road is slanted on a cross-slope angle to promote water drainage. Camber can alter running mechanics and muscle activation patterns, which may affect running economy and cause injuries due to asymmetries in loading. This study investigates the effects of road camber on running economy and its interactions with running mechanics and muscle activation patterns. Twelve trained runners performed three 5 min treadmill runs at camber conditions of 0 deg, 3 deg, and 6 deg just below ventilatory threshold pace. Metabolic, kinematic, and EMG data were measured during the final two minutes of each trial. Increasing camber caused significant changes in knee and trunk movement patterns and gastrocnemius muscle activation. However, there were no significant differences in metabolic measures. In experienced runners, the body may utilize a ground-up approach to maintain balance on a camber, with alterations that are not large enough to cause metabolic perturbations. This suggests that runners looking for their best performances do not need to avoid the cambered section of a road.