{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,26]],"date-time":"2026-06-26T02:07:59Z","timestamp":1782439679736,"version":"3.54.5"},"reference-count":46,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,12]],"date-time":"2026-02-12T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1770854400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol."],"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Objective<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>To explore the potential correlational patterns between lower extremity explosive power, strength balance, joint stiffness, neuromuscular characteristics and running economy (RE) as well as personal best (PB) of long-distance runners under different relative paces, so as to provide a preliminary theoretical clues for optimizing endurance training.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>\n                      Ten male second-class long-distance runners were recruited. Under the paces of PB70%, PB80% and PB90%, RE, maximal oxygen uptake (VO\n                      <jats:sub>2<\/jats:sub>\n                      max), lower extremity explosive power (CMJ, SJ, EUR, RSI), joint peak torque ratio (PTR), joint stiffness and neuromuscular indicators (RMS, CAR) were tested using gas metabolism analysis, force platform, isokinetic strength testing system, motion capture system and electromyography equipment. Data were processed by one-way repeated measures analysis of variance, paired samples t-test and Pearson correlation analysis.\n                    <\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>\n                      RE increased significantly with the increase of pace (p &amp;lt; 0.05), and the correlation between RE and PB at PB80% and PB90% was stronger than that between VO\n                      <jats:sub>2<\/jats:sub>\n                      max and PB; RSI was significantly negatively correlated with RE70%, RE90% and PB (p &amp;lt; 0.05), while CMJ, SJ and EUR had no significant correlation; at 180\u00b0\/s angular velocity, the hip joint flexor eccentric-extensor concentric PTR was significantly positively correlated with RE70%, RE90% and PB, and the knee joint flexor concentric-extensor eccentric PTR was significantly positively correlated with RE at all paces and PB (p &amp;lt; 0.05); knee joint stiffness was significantly negatively correlated with RE at all paces (p &amp;lt; 0.05); the RMS of vastus medialis (VM) was significantly positively correlated with RE70% and RE90%, and the knee joint CAR was significantly negatively correlated with RE at all paces (p &amp;lt; 0.05).\n                    <\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>This study is strictly exploratory and hypothesis-generating. RE is a core indicator potentially associated with long-distance running performance. RSI, specific hip and knee PTR at 180\u00b0\/s angular velocity, knee joint stiffness and knee joint neuromuscular activation characteristics (VM RMS, knee joint CAR) show potential correlational associations with RE. The associations between these indicators and RE are pace-dependent and joint-specific, which can provide preliminary scientific reference for generating hypotheses about long-distance running training.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fbioe.2026.1752244","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,12]],"date-time":"2026-02-12T06:53:03Z","timestamp":1770879183000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Effects of lower extremity neuromuscular and mechanical characteristics on running economy and sports performance of long-distance runners under different relative paces"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"14","author":[{"given":"Zhengze","family":"Tan","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Capital University of Physical Education And Sports, Institute of Physical Education and Training","place":["Beijing, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Zihao","family":"Li","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Capital University of Physical Education And Sports, Institute of Physical Education and Training","place":["Beijing, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Yiling","family":"Ding","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"College of Physical Education, China West Normal University","place":["Nanchong, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Dantong","family":"Wang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"College of Physical Education, Hebei Normal University","place":["Shijiazhuang, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Yongan","family":"Wang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"College of Physical Education, China West Normal University","place":["Nanchong, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,12]]},"reference":[{"key":"B1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3345","DOI":"10.1242\/jeb.02340","article-title":"Influence of the muscle-tendon unit's mechanical and morphological properties on running economy","volume":"209","author":"Arampatzis","year":"2006","journal-title":"J. Experimental Biology"},{"key":"B2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1289","DOI":"10.1519\/JSC.0000000000000267","article-title":"Lower-body determinants of running economy in Male and female distance runners","volume":"28","author":"Barnes","year":"2014","journal-title":"J. Strength Cond. Res."},{"key":"B3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"70","DOI":"10.1097\/00005768-200001000-00012","article-title":"Limiting factors for maximum oxygen uptake and determinants of endurance performance","volume":"32","author":"Bassett","year":"2000","journal-title":"Med. Science Sports Exercise"},{"key":"B4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"312","DOI":"10.1080\/02640414.2020.1820183","article-title":"Inter-limb strength asymmetry in adolescent distance runners: Test-retest reliability and relationships with performance and running economy","volume":"39","author":"Blagrove","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Sports Sciences"},{"key":"B5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"135","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1748-1716.1981.tb06716.x","article-title":"Prestretch potentiation of human skeletal muscle during ballistic movement","volume":"111","author":"Bosco","year":"1981","journal-title":"Acta Physiol. Scand."},{"key":"B6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"081011","DOI":"10.1115\/1.4046864","article-title":"Short-and long-term exercise results in a differential Achilles tendon mechanical response","volume":"142","author":"Chen","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Biomechanical Eng."},{"key":"B7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"357","DOI":"10.1249\/00005768-198012050-00010","article-title":"Running economy and distance running performance of highly trained athletes","volume":"12","author":"Conley","year":"1980","journal-title":"Med. Sci. Sports Exerc"},{"key":"B8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"287","DOI":"10.1007\/s00221-012-3137-1","article-title":"Training-related decrease in antagonist muscles activation is associated with increased motor cortex activation: evidence of central mechanisms for control of antagonist muscles","volume":"220","author":"Dal Maso","year":"2012","journal-title":"Exp. Brain Research"},{"key":"B9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"483","DOI":"10.1249\/00005768-199204000-00015","article-title":"Running economy of elite male and elite female runners","volume":"24","author":"Daniels","year":"1992","journal-title":"Med. Science Sports Exercise"},{"key":"B10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"139","DOI":"10.3233\/ies-2003-0140","article-title":"Identification of previous hamstring muscle injury by isokinetic concentric and eccentric torque measurement in elite soccer player","volume":"11","author":"Dauty","year":"2003","journal-title":"Isokinet. Exercise Science"},{"key":"B11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"769","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jsams.2019.01.010","article-title":"Effect of concentric and eccentric hamstring training on sprint recovery, strength and muscle architecture in inexperienced athletes","volume":"22","author":"Duhig","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Sci. Med. Sport"},{"key":"B12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"249","DOI":"10.1123\/ijspp.5.2.249","article-title":"Relationship between muscle strength, power and stiffness and running economy in trained male runners","volume":"5","author":"Dumke","year":"2010","journal-title":"Int. Journal Sports Physiology Performance"},{"key":"B13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1983","DOI":"10.1242\/jeb.199.9.1983","article-title":"Mechanical efficiency and efficiency of storage and release of series elastic energy in skeletal muscle during stretch\u2013shorten cycles","volume":"199","author":"Ettema","year":"1996","journal-title":"J. Exp. Biol."},{"key":"B14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1642","DOI":"10.1249\/MSS.0000000000001959","article-title":"Neuromuscular fatigue and metabolism during high-intensity intermittent exercise","volume":"51","author":"Fiorenza","year":"2019","journal-title":"Med. Science Sports Exercise"},{"key":"B15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"32","DOI":"10.1519\/ssc.0b013e318187e25b","article-title":"The use of contact time and the reactive strength index to optimize fast stretch-shortening cycle training","volume":"30","author":"Flanagan","year":"2008","journal-title":"Strength Cond. J."},{"key":"B16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"360","DOI":"10.1016\/j.gaitpost.2006.04.009","article-title":"Compensatory strategies during normal walking in response to muscle weakness and increased hip joint stiffness","volume":"25","author":"Goldberg","year":"2007","journal-title":"Gait Posture"},{"key":"B17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"610","DOI":"10.1016\/j.knee.2016.04.004","article-title":"Correlation between quadriceps to hamstring ratio and functional outcomes in patellofemoral pain","volume":"23","author":"Guney","year":"2016","journal-title":"Knee"},{"key":"B18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4067\/S0717-95022021000100205","article-title":"Neuromuscular compartmentalization of the vastus Medialis muscle: comparison of the activity of the vastus Medialis obliquus and the vastus Medialis longus by high density electromyography","volume":"39","author":"Guzm\u00e1n-Venegas","year":"2021","journal-title":"Int. J. Morphol."},{"key":"B19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"898","DOI":"10.1519\/r-13503.1","article-title":"The relationships between local muscular endurance and kinematic changes during a run to exhaustion at v VO2max","volume":"18","author":"Hayes","year":"2004","journal-title":"J. Strength Cond. Res."},{"key":"B20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"560","DOI":"10.1152\/jn.1965.28.3.560","article-title":"Functional significance of cell size in spinal motoneurons","volume":"28","author":"Henneman","year":"1965","journal-title":"J. Neurophysiology"},{"key":"B21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"541","DOI":"10.1093\/gerona\/glr008","article-title":"Association between muscle activation and metabolic cost of walking in young and old adults","volume":"66","author":"Hortob\u00e1gyi","year":"2011","journal-title":"Journals Gerontology Ser. A Biomed. Sci. Med. Sci."},{"key":"B22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"40","DOI":"10.3390\/biomechanics5020040","article-title":"The temporal structure of the running cycle, an essential element in the analysis: a critical review","volume":"5","author":"Inostroza-R\u00edos","year":"2025","journal-title":"Biomechanics"},{"key":"B23","article-title":"Relationship between lower limb muscle activation characteristics and running economy in recreational runners","author":"Jiang","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. Hum. Kinet"},{"key":"B24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1197","DOI":"10.1016\/s0021-9290(00)00064-6","article-title":"Stretch-shortening cycle: a powerful model to study normal and fatigued muscle","volume":"33","author":"Komi","year":"2000","journal-title":"J. Biomechanics"},{"key":"B25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1330","DOI":"10.1097\/00005768-200108000-00014","article-title":"Biomechanical factors affecting running economy","volume":"33","author":"Kyr\u00f6l\u00e4inen","year":"2001","journal-title":"Med. Sci. Sports Exerc."},{"key":"B26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"111747","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jbiomech.2023.111747","article-title":"Validity and reliability of two-dimensional video-based assessment to measure joint angles during running: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"157","author":"Leporace","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Biomechanics"},{"key":"B27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e6787","DOI":"10.7717\/peerj.6787","article-title":"Effects of complex training versus heavy resistance training on neuromuscular adaptation, running economy and 5-km performance in well-trained distance runners","volume":"7","author":"Li","year":"2019","journal-title":"PeerJ"},{"key":"B28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"323","DOI":"10.3390\/sports13090323","article-title":"Effects of arch support pad stiffness on lower-limb biomechanics during single-leg landing","volume":"13","author":"Li","year":"2025","journal-title":"Sports"},{"key":"B29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1059221","DOI":"10.3389\/fphys.2022.1059221","article-title":"Running economy and lower extremity stiffness in endurance runners: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"13","author":"Liu","year":"2022","journal-title":"Front. Physiology"},{"key":"B30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"310","DOI":"10.2165\/00007256-198907050-00003","article-title":"Factors affecting running economy","volume":"7","author":"Morgan","year":"1989","journal-title":"Sports Med."},{"key":"B31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"11","DOI":"10.1016\/j.neulet.2014.05.023","article-title":"Changes in muscle coordination and power output during sprint cycling","volume":"576","author":"O\u2019bryan","year":"2014","journal-title":"Neurosci. Letters"},{"key":"B32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"57","DOI":"10.1007\/s40279-017-0785-0","article-title":"The influence of growth and maturation on stretch-shortening cycle function in youth","volume":"48","author":"Radnor","year":"2018","journal-title":"Sports Med."},{"key":"B33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.3390\/healthcare10040593","article-title":"How to improve the reactive strength index among male athletes? A systematic review with meta-analysis","volume-title":"Proceedings of the healthcare, F","author":"Rebelo","year":"2022"},{"key":"B34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"318","DOI":"10.3390\/life15020318","article-title":"Lower-Extremity muscle strength symmetry assessment through isokinetic dynamometry","volume":"15","author":"Ren","year":"2025","journal-title":"Life"},{"key":"B35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"S135","DOI":"10.1249\/00005768-198810001-00009","article-title":"Neural adaptation to resistance training","volume":"20","author":"Sale","year":"1988","journal-title":"Med. Science Sports Exercise"},{"key":"B36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"465","DOI":"10.2165\/00007256-200434070-00005","article-title":"Factors affecting running economy in trained distance runners","volume":"34","author":"Saunders","year":"2004","journal-title":"Sports Medicine"},{"key":"B37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"157","DOI":"10.1186\/s13102-024-00946-x","article-title":"Unveiling the influence of hip isokinetic strength on lower extremity running kinematics in male national middle-distance runners: a correlational analysis","volume":"16","author":"Sever","year":"2024","journal-title":"BMC Sports Sci. Med. Rehabilitation"},{"key":"B38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1007\/s00421-002-0741-y","article-title":"The effect of plyometric training on distance running performance","volume":"89","author":"Spurrs","year":"2003","journal-title":"Eur. Journal Applied Physiology"},{"key":"B39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"9914278","DOI":"10.1155\/2021\/9914278","article-title":"Application of leg, vertical, and joint stiffness in running performance: a literature overview","volume":"2021","author":"Struzik","year":"2021","journal-title":"Appl. Bionics Biomech."},{"key":"B40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2214","DOI":"10.1519\/JSC.0000000000000376","article-title":"Relationship between functional hamstring: quadriceps ratios and running economy in highly trained and recreational female runners","volume":"28","author":"Sundby","year":"2014","journal-title":"J. Strength Cond. Res."},{"key":"B41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"16","DOI":"10.1123\/ijspp.2018-0151","article-title":"Running economy: neuromuscular and joint-stiffness contributions in trained runners","volume":"14","author":"Tam","year":"2019","journal-title":"Int. Journal Sports Physiology Performance"},{"key":"B42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"524","DOI":"10.1123\/ijspp.2024-0291","article-title":"Association between reactive strength index and metabolic cost of running in male master athletes","volume":"20","author":"Tanneau","year":"2025","journal-title":"Int. J. Sports Physiology Perform."},{"key":"B43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"290","DOI":"10.70252\/SKPQ5840","article-title":"The effects of intermittent sprint training on running economy and leg stiffness in highly trained runners","volume":"18","author":"Thibault","year":"2025","journal-title":"Int. J. Exerc. Sci."},{"key":"B44","first-page":"175","article-title":"Surface electromyography in sports and exercise,\u201d in Electrodiagnosis in new frontiers of clinical research. (Rijeka, Croatia: IntechOpen)","author":"Tu\u0308rker","year":"2013"},{"key":"B45","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"109983","DOI":"10.1016\/j.gaitpost.2025.109983","article-title":"Running gait biomechanics associated with hamstring and quadriceps strength profiles","volume":"124","author":"Whitney","year":"2025","journal-title":"Gait Posture"},{"key":"B46","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"966","DOI":"10.1080\/14763141.2020.1713207","article-title":"Distance running stride-to-stride variability for sagittal plane joint angles","volume":"21","author":"Wight","year":"2022","journal-title":"Sports Biomech."}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fbioe.2026.1752244\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,12]],"date-time":"2026-02-12T06:53:04Z","timestamp":1770879184000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fbioe.2026.1752244\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,12]]},"references-count":46,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fbioe.2026.1752244"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fbioe.2026.1752244","relation":{},"ISSN":["2296-4185"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2296-4185","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,12]]},"article-number":"1752244"}}