Running while minimizing sound volume can reduce vertical impact loading, potentially reducing injury risks. Fatigue can increase the vertical loading rate during running, but it is unknown whether fatigue influences silent running similarly. This study aimed to explore the differences in vertical impact properties during normal and silent running following a fatiguing task. Seventeen participants performed overground running (normal and silent) before and after a fatiguing running protocol. Running footfall sounds were collected using four microphones surrounding a force platform on the track. Peak impact sound, vertical impact peak force (IPF), instantaneous (VILR), and average vertical loading rate (VALR) were compared from Pre- to Post-fatigue. Peak impact sounds were significantly greater for fatigued runners during normal running when compared to silent running (p < 0.005), without changes in force parameters. Moreover, peak impact sounds, IPF, VILR, and VALR from normal running were greater when compared to silent running (p < 0.001), both fresh or fatigued. Our results suggest that fatigue may not compromise silent running technique, which may be relevant to reduce early vertical impact loading. Therefore, runners seeking to modify running style towards the reduction of impact loading may benefit from including silent running drills in their training sessions.
Keywords: Running fatigue; foot strike pattern; ground reaction forces; injuries; running technique; sound.