Lower-Limb Biomechanical Adaptations to Exercise-Induced Fatigue During Running: A Systematic Review of Injury-Relevant Mechanical Changes

TL;DR

This review shows how running biomechanics change with fatigue and how these changes can increase injury risk.

Contribution

A systematic synthesis of how fatigue alters lower-limb biomechanics during running and its injury implications.

Findings

Fatigue increases ground contact time and joint range of motion while reducing ankle power and stiffness.

Fatigue leads to higher impact loading and movement variability, increasing injury risk.

Changes in biomechanics shift mechanical load from distal to proximal joints like the knee and hip.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Exercise-induced fatigue is a fundamental component of running performance and training, yet it is also implicated in altered movement mechanics and increased injury risk. While numerous studies have examined fatigue-related biomechanical changes during running, findings remain fragmented across biomechanical domains and fatigue modalities. The purpose of this systematic review was to synthesize contemporary evidence on the effects of fatigue on lower-limb biomechanics during running and to interpret the potential injury relevance of these adaptations. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for original empirical studies published between January 2010 and December 2025. Eligible studies involved human participants performing running or running-related tasks, applied an explicit fatigue protocol, and reported quantitative lower-limb biomechanical outcomes. Study selection followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Data extraction included participant characteristics, fatigue protocols, biomechanical measures, instrumentation, and key findings. Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (RoB-2) tool. Due to substantial methodological heterogeneity, findings were synthesized narratively. Results: Twenty-four studies met the inclusion criteria. Across studies, fatigue consistently altered spatiotemporal parameters, joint kinematic and kinetic variables, spring-mass behavior, impact loading, coordination variability, neuromuscular output, and inter-limb symmetry. Common adaptations included increased ground contact time, reduced ankle joint power and stiffness, increased joint range of motion, elevated impact loading, and greater movement variability. These changes reflected reduced mechanical efficiency and a redistribution of mechanical load from distal to proximal joints, particularly toward the knee and hip. Similar fatigue-related biomechanical patterns were observed in both laboratory-based and real-world endurance running conditions. Conclusions: Exercise-induced fatigue produces systematic and injury-relevant alterations in lower-limb biomechanics during running. These adaptations may preserve short-term performance but create mechanical conditions associated with increased susceptibility to overuse and non-contact injuries. Integrating fatigue-aware biomechanical assessment, neuromuscular conditioning, and individualized load management strategies may help mitigate adverse fatigue-related adaptations.

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