Does a stable running pattern remain stable during different elevation conditions?

The objective of this study was to determine the number of runs needed to establish a stable running pattern during level, downhill, and uphill running conditions. Using a single, commercially available wearable sensor biomechanical data were collected from 35 runners completing 7 separate runs in varied terrain. Univariate and multivariate distributions were created based on the 95% probability density function (95%PDF) and stability was defined when the addition of data from a new run, for each inclination condition, resulted in less than a 5% change in the 95%PDF. The results show that 2 to 4 runs were needed for univariate and multivariate analysis, regardless of inclination condition.