Characteristics of ground reaction force and lower limb kinematics during running on self-driven treadmill equipped with curve-shaped bed in sagittal plane

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of running on selfdriven treadmill equipped with curve-shaped bed (TM) from kinematics and kinetics variables by comparing with those obtained on overground running (OG). Eight healthy male subjects run on TM and OG under constant speed condition of 3m/s. Thirty five reflective anatomical landmarkers were attached on the subject according to Plug-in-gait model. Kinematics and kinetics data were recorded during stance phase using VICON MX (200fps) motion capture system and Kistler force plate (1kHz). Running spatio-temporal parameters such as stride length /stride frequency, lower limb joint kinematics and ground reaction force were compared between TM and OG conditions. Significant high stride frequency on TM running was indicated compare with OG condition (P<0.05). Contact time were almost same between TM and OG, whereas in vertical ground reaction force, non-first impact force as well as lower average loading rate were indicated in TM compared to OG (P<0.05). Lower joint kinematics were significantly different between TM and OG running during first 20% stance phase of normalized stance time. Hip and knee flexion angular velocities were larger in OG than TM (P<0.05). These results suggest that TM running causes lowed intensity for lower limb joints during stance phase, which might be applicable for prevention of running injury.Jpn J Phys Fitness Sports Med, 64(3): 333-344 (2015)

Effects of subjective effort on overground and treadmill running: a comparative analysis

“…There has been considerable discussion as to whether overground running and treadmill running are the same, and several studies have been performed to gain a better understanding of any observable differences [13][14][15][16][17][18] . For example, Riley et al and Kashiwagi et al compared running performance overground to that on a treadmill at the same velocity 14,17) . In these studies, step frequency decreased, while stride length increased when running overground compared to when running on a treadmill.…”

Comparison of Dynamic Stability During Walking and Running on Nonmotorized Curved Treadmill According to Curvature Radius

“…3 However, the stress on the knees is small because the ground reaction forces are small. 5 Furthermore, to maintain a steady speed on an NMCT, motor coordination between muscles and nerves is required, and thus, NMCT workouts are expected to significantly help rehabilitation as well. 3 An NMCT can also be used to evaluate and improve exercising capabilities.…”

“…6 However, NMCT workouts are different from the conventional, familiar MFT workouts, 7 and the drawback of exceeding one's capacity subconsciously during a workout has been reported. 5 NMCTs have different curvature radii depending on the manufacturer and product, whereas MFTs simply have flat running surfaces. Therefore, during training exercises on NMCTs, the physiological characteristics may vary because of differences in the curvature radii between different manufacturers and products.…”

“…In addition, studies conducted so far to prove the workout capabilities and clinical results of NMCTs have the limitation of focussing on only a certain speed while analyzing running exercises. 2,4,5,7 Even in cases in which different speeds are compared, only a single curvature radius is considered. 3,8 Thus, very few studies have considered the exercise characteristics and effects of NMCTs for various curvature radii and speeds.…”