Feedback Modality and Fatigue Effects on Cadence Retraining in Running

• Applicant: Dr. Cagla Kettner, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Anatomy and Physiology ; Human Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience ; Medical Physics, Biomedical Technology
• Term: since 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 585195354

Running is one of the most commonly performed physical activities worldwide and is associated with numerous health benefits. At the same time, running-related overuse injuries are highly prevalent, particularly among recreational runners. A promising strategy to reduce injury risk is the modification of running cadence, which is defined as the number of steps per minute. Previous research has shown that a moderate increase in running cadence can induce favorable biomechanical changes and reduce mechanical loading of the lower extremities. To facilitate such adaptations, gait retraining approaches commonly rely on augmented feedback. However, it remains unclear which feedback modality (visual, auditory, or haptic) is most effective for cadence retraining and whether learned adaptations remain stable under fatigue. The main objective of this project is to systematically investigate how different feedback modalities affect both acute effects and training-induced adaptations of running cadence, and how fatigue modulates these motor learning processes. In a controlled intervention study, healthy recreational runners will complete a multi-week training program with the aim of increasing running cadence by 5–10% using visual, auditory, or haptic augmented feedback. The effects of gait retraining will be assessed acutely as well as at post-training, and at a retention test, the latter two under rested and fatigued conditions. This project aims to provide fundamental insights into feedback-based motor learning during running and to clarify how fatigue influences the retention and maintenance of adapted movement patterns. The findings will contribute to the optimization of feedback-based gait retraining protocols and provide practical guidance for the design of training and injury-prevention interventions in running.

• DFG Programme: Fellowship
• International Connection: Netherlands
• Host: Professor Dr. Bas Van Hooren