Stroller miles can be part workout, part parenting hack, letting you log steps while keeping your kid entertained. But there might be more going on than meets the eye—or the quads. A team of biomechanics researchers at Penn State Berks decided to dig into what stroller running does to your form, and how those changes might quietly be upping with your injury risk.
How the study worked
To figure out what’s really going on, researchers invited adult runners into their Biomechanics and Gait Evaluation Lab (BaGEL). Each runner did test runs with and without a stroller, all on a flat indoor track. Motion capture technology and a force plate measured exactly how every footstrike landed and how the body adjusted. The aim was to understand how pushing a stroller changes mechanics and whether those changes might increase injury risk.
Reduced impact, increased torsion
The study found that stroller runners experienced a 16 per cent reduction in impact forces with each step. This decrease is attributed to the stroller absorbing some of the shock that would typically be transmitted through the runner’s legs. However, the study also noted a 36 per cent increase in torsional stress—the twisting force between the foot and the ground—which can contribute to stress fractures in the lower leg.
The posture puzzle
Runners also leaned forward six degrees more when pushing a stroller. That might not sound like much, but in running terms, it’s a big shift. It moves your centre of gravity ahead of your base and alters how your feet strike the ground.
How to push smarter and safer
So, how do you avoid turning those stroller miles into a trip to the physio? Keep your stride a little shorter than normal, and try not to hunch, especially on inclines. A lighter stroller with adjustable handlebars can help reduce the urge to lean forward. Stroller running is still one of the best ways to stay active with your kid. Just be smart about your form.
