#Biomechanics

Running with a jogging stroller is a common sight in Thailand’s parks and city streets, as active parents find creative ways to merge fitness with family time. However, new research from biomechanics experts at Penn State Berks and Alvernia University, recently detailed in The Washington Post (Washington Post), is prompting a closer look at how this practice affects the body of the person doing the pushing.

The implication is significant for Thai parents who enjoy running as a means to stay healthy while caring for young children. While stroller manufacturers and regulations tend to emphasize child safety, the physical consequences for adult runners have received much less attention—but that’s beginning to change. Overuse injuries, such as shin splints, stress fractures, and knee pain, are already concerns for runners. Introducing a jogging stroller, which presents additional weight and requires a new arm position, may change body mechanics in subtle but impactful ways. For Thailand’s running community, which includes countless parents and caretakers embracing stroller-running in Lumpini Park, Chatuchak Park, and university campuses, understanding these risks is vital.

Running with a jogging stroller has become a common sight in Thai parks and city streets as active parents blend fitness with family care. New research from biomechanics experts at Penn State Berks and Alvernia University, highlighted internationally, examines how pushing a stroller affects the adult runner’s body and injury risk. This matters for Thailand’s growing community of stroller runners who frequent Lumpini Park, Chatuchak Park, and university campuses.

In Thailand, safety gear for children often headlines discussions around stroller use. Yet the physical impact on the adult runner warrants equal attention. Overuse injuries such as shin splints, knee pain, and stress fractures are familiar to many runners. A jogging stroller adds weight and shortens the runner’s natural arm swing, potentially altering gait in ways that could elevate injury risk. Understanding these biomechanical changes is essential for Thai parents and caregivers pursuing fitness alongside childcare goals.