Effects of Wearing Functional Garment on Balance, Cervical Lordosis Angle, and Aerobic Performance in Amateur Runners: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

A critical aspect of marathon running is optimizing energy efficiency through properly managing stride length and speed, particularly during the stride phase (2).Efficient runners typically make initial ground contact with the ball or outer part of the foot, followed by the wholefoot contact.Proper foot landing, guided by the ABSTRACT Background.The growing popularity of marathon running has increased interest in enhancing performance and preventing injuries.Balance, posture, and respiratory function are crucial for marathon runners.Objectives.This study investigated the effects of posture-correcting functional garments on male amateur runners' balance, cervical lordosis angle, and aerobic capacity.Methods.Thirty male amateur marathon runners (aged 30-50 years) were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (EG, n=15), wearing functional garments designed for posture maintenance and spinal correction during both training and daily activities, or a control group (CG, n=15), without garments.The intervention lasted 4 weeks, with both groups participating in aerobic running sessions thrice weekly.Static balance, the primary outcome, was assessed using the Biodex Balance System to measure the overall stability index (OSI), anterior-posterior stability index (APSI), and medial-lateral stability index (MLSI).Cervical lordosis angle was assessed using craniovertebral angle (CVA) measurements, and aerobic capacity was evaluated using the Bruce protocol for maximum heart rate (HRmax), maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE).Statistical analysis was conducted using two-way repeated measures analysis of variance.Results.Participants in the EG showed significant improvements in static balance (OSI and APSI; P<0.001 and P=0.012, respectively), CVA (P=0.021), and VO2max (P<0.001) than those in the CG.Conclusion.Functional garments enhance balance, posture, and aerobic capacity in male amateur runners, offering potential performance and injury prevention benefits.Further studies should investigate long-term effects and applications in diverse athletes.