Physiological and Biomechanical Responses to Running on Lower Body Positive Pressure Treadmills in Healthy Populations

Farina, Kathryn A.; Wright, Alexis A.; Ford, Kevin R.; Wirfel, Leah Anne; Smoliga, James M.

doi:10.1007/s40279-016-0581-2

Cited by 25 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Body weight support and running velocity both affect the physiological and biomechanical responses of human running [ 1 ]. Previous studies show that when running at normal body weight, metabolic demand increases with velocity [ 2 , 3 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous research has shown that equivalent maximal and submaximal oxygen consumption (VO 2 ) can be achieved while running on LBPPT by increasing the running speed to offset the reduction in oxygen consumption associated with running with BWS [ 12 , 20 , 22 , 25 ]. When observed VO 2 values were compared with predicted values [ 9 , 23 , 24 ], the coefficient of determination ( R 2 = 0.69–0.88) was large to very large, indicating the derived equation in their samples was a good fit and it is feasible to derive similar equations in highly trained populations [ 1 ]. All studies that showed reduction in VO 2 also showed corresponding reductions in heart rate (HR) [ 9 , 12 , 18 , 22 – 24 , 26 , 27 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Unfortunately, while these studies provide valuable insight into the physiological and biomechanical demands of running on LBPPT among healthy and recreational runners, there are conflicting evidence and a paucity of data indicating how these results might apply to highly trained or elite caliber runners at the running speeds they habitually train at, which are considerably faster than those of recreational runners [ 9 ]. Of the ten studies that met the inclusion criteria for evaluation of physiologic and stride characteristic parameters in a recent systematic review [ 1 ], only two studies included highly trained or elite caliber distance runners [ 9 , 12 ], neither of which included female runners. Previous research has established that differences in physiological and biomechanical characteristics exist between highly trained male and female runners during submaximal normal body weight running [ 3 , 30 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Physiological and Biomechanical Responses of Highly Trained Distance Runners to Lower-Body Positive Pressure Treadmill Running

Barnes

Janecke

2017

Sports Med - Open

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BackgroundAs a way to train at faster running speeds, add training volume, prevent injury, or rehabilitate after an injury, lower-body positive pressure treadmills (LBPPT) have become increasingly commonplace among athletes. However, there are conflicting evidence and a paucity of data describing the physiological and biomechanical responses to LBPPT running in highly trained or elite caliber runners at the running speeds they habitually train at, which are considerably faster than those of recreational runners. Furthermore, data is lacking regarding female runners’ responses to LBPPT running. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the physiological and biomechanical responses to LBPPT running in highly trained male and female distance runners.MethodsFifteen highly trained distance runners (seven male; eight female) completed a single running test composed of 4 × 9-min interval series at fixed percentages of body weight ranging from 0 to 30% body weight support (BWS) in 10% increments on LBPPT. The first interval was always conducted at 0% BWS; thereafter, intervals at 10, 20, and 30% BWS were conducted in random order. Each interval consisted of three stages of 3 min each, at velocities of 14.5, 16.1, and 17.7 km·h−1 for men and 12.9, 14.5, and 16.1 km·h−1 for women. Expired gases, ventilation, breathing frequency, heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and stride characteristics were measured during each running speed and BWS.ResultsMale and female runners had similar physiological and biomechanical responses to running on LBPPT. Increasing BWS increased stride length (p < 0.02) and flight duration (p < 0.01) and decreased stride rate (p < 0.01) and contact time (p < 0.01) in small-large magnitudes. There was a large attenuation of oxygen consumption (VO2) relative to BWS (p < 0.001), while there were trivial-moderate reductions in respiratory exchange ratio, minute ventilation, and respiratory frequency (p > 0.05), and small-large effects on HR and RPE (p < 0.01). There were trivial-small differences in VE, respiratory frequency, HR, and RPE for a given VO2 across various BWS (p > 0.05).ConclusionsThe results indicate the male and female distance runners have similar physiological and biomechanical responses to LBPPT running. Overall, the biomechanical changes during LBPPT running all contributed to less metabolic cost and corresponding physiological changes.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Physiological and Biomechanical Responses of Highly Trained Distance Runners to Lower-Body Positive Pressure Treadmill Running

Barnes

Janecke

2017

Sports Med - Open

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“…Signi cant biomechanical and physiological alterations are evident with bodyweight support settings < 70% on the AlterG® with some authors suggesting staying above this threshold for to minimise changes in running mechanics [23][24][25]. Individual responses to our difference running trial conditions were somewhat variable.…”

Section: Kineticsmentioning

confidence: 91%

Effect of Speed and Gradient on Plantar Force When Running on an AlterG® Treadmill.

Thomson

Whiteley

Hansen

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background Anti-gravity treadmills are used to decrease musculoskeletal loading during treadmill running often in return to play rehabilitation programs. The effect different gradients (uphill/downhill running) have on kinetics and spatiotemporal parameters when using an AlterG® treadmill is unclear with previous research focused on level running only. Methods Ten well-trained healthy male running athletes ran on the AlterG® treadmill at varying combinations of bodyweight support (60%, 80%, and 100% BW), speed (12 km/hr, 15 km/hr, 18 km/hr, 21 km/hr, and 24 km/hr), and gradients (-15% decline, -10, -5, 0, + 5, +10 + 15% incline), representing a total of 78 conditions performed in random order. Maximum plantar force and contact time were recorded using a wireless in-shoe force sensor insole system. Results Regression analysis showed a linear relationship for maximum plantar force with bodyweight support and running speeds for level running (p < 0.0001, adj. R² = 0.604). The linear relationship, however, does not hold for negative gradients at speeds 12 & 15 km/h, with a relative ‘dip’ in maximum plantar force across all assisted bodyweight settings. Conclusions Maximum plantar force peaks are larger with faster running and smaller with more AlterG® assisted bodyweight support (athlete unweighing). Gradient made little difference except for a downhill grade of -5% decreasing force peaks as compared to level or uphill running.

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“…All subjects completed three incremental treadmill tests until volitional exhaustion in randomized order. Two tests were performed on the LBPPT with an effective weights ratio (or "body weight setting" Set BW (Farina, Wright, Ford, Wirfel, & Smoliga, 2017)…”

Section: Treadmill Testsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Energy Cost of Running Under Hypogravity in Well-Trained Runners and Triathletes: A Biomechanical Perspective

Ueberschär

Fleckenstein

Warschun

et al. 2019

International Journal of Computer Science in Sport

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Hypogravity treadmills have become a popular training tool in distance running and triathlon. Counter-intuitively, tibial acceleration load is not attenuated by hypogravity unloading during running, while, equally surprisingly, leaps become flatter instead of higher. To explain these effects from a biomechanical perspective, Polet, Schroeder, and Bertram (2017) recently developed an energetic model for hypogravity running and validated it with recreational athletes at a constant jogging speed. The present study was conducted to refine that model for competitive athletes at relevant running speeds of 12–22 km h−1 and gravity levels of 100 %, 80 % and 60 %. Based on new experimental data on 15 well-trained runners in treadmill tests until volitional exhaustion, the enhanced semi-empirical model well describes energy expenditure and the observed biomechanical effects of hypogravity running. Remarkably, anaerobic contributions led to an increase in energy cost per meter for speeds above 16–18 km h−1 (p < 0.001), irrespective of hypogravity unloading. Moreover, some converging trends were observed that might reflect general adaptations in running motor control for optimization of efficiency. In essence, the outcome of this research might help sports scientists and practitioners to design running programs for specific training stimuli, e.g. conditioning of anaerobic energy metabolism.

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Physiological and Biomechanical Responses to Running on Lower Body Positive Pressure Treadmills in Healthy Populations

Cited by 25 publications

References 35 publications

Physiological and Biomechanical Responses of Highly Trained Distance Runners to Lower-Body Positive Pressure Treadmill Running

Physiological and Biomechanical Responses of Highly Trained Distance Runners to Lower-Body Positive Pressure Treadmill Running

Effect of Speed and Gradient on Plantar Force When Running on an AlterG® Treadmill.

Energy Cost of Running Under Hypogravity in Well-Trained Runners and Triathletes: A Biomechanical Perspective

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