Effect of cross-slope angle on running economy and gait characteristics at moderate running velocity.

Purpose: Outdoor running surfaces are designed with a cross-slope, which can alter kinetic and kinematic gait parameters. The purpose of this study was to evaluate running economy, gait characteristics, and muscle activation while running on a surface with cross-slopes similar to those encountered on roads and trails.

Methods: Eleven recreational runners (females n = 6) completed 5-min running trials on a treadmill at 10 km h with cross-slopes of 0, 1.