Abstract
Running is a popular sport but often leads to overuse injuries due to repetitive ground reaction forces (GRF) impacting the lower extremities. Lower Body Positive Pressure Treadmills (LBPPT) have gained popularity in clinical and research environments for their ability to reduce the runners’ bodyweight, consequently lowering the GRFs. PURPOSE: To investigate whether there is an accommodation period present during LBPPT submaximal running for lower body GRFs. METHODS: Participants (n =3; 1 male, 2 females; age: 26 ± 1.63 years; mass: 63.73 ± 7.77kg; height: 1.64 ± 0.11m) were recruited to complete three 15-minute bodyweight support (BWS) conditions at 100%, 80%, and 60% of their total bodyweight. Loadsols were inserted into the participant’s preferred footwear, and ground reaction force data was exported to a custom MATLAB script and processed. RESULTS: On average, mean ground reaction force (GRF) for 100% BWS (737.70 + 4.11N) was greater than both 80% (672.38 + 12.71N, d = .32) and 60% (531.69 + 12.09N, d = 1.37). Peak GRF, on average, was higher for 100% (1444.72 + 16.71N, d) than 80% (1374.66 + 37.63N, d = 0.32) and 60% (1091.65 + 46.62N, d = 1.37). Mean stance time was higher for 100% (.31 + .002s) than 80% (0.30 + .004s, d = 0.75) and 60% (.29 + .003s, d = .53). Time was averaged over the first 6 minutes (time 1) and compared to the last 9 (time 2). For 60%, stance was moderately lower for time 1 and time 2 (d = .32) and peak force was marginally lower between time 1 and time 2 (d = .21). All other comparisons exhibited a trivial comparison (d < .1) CONCLUSION: It appears that novice runners utilizing the LBPPT adopt preferred movement patterns early on during lower bodyweight running in response to the reduced ground reaction forces. Nevertheless, given the limited sample size, further research is warranted to thoroughly explore the implications of accommodation in LBPPT running.
Recommended Citation
Clyde, Ciya; Mercer, Miles; and Freedman Silvernail, Julia
(2023)
"Investigation into Lower Extremity Accommodation during LBPPT Submaximal Running,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 14:
Iss.
3, Article 111.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol14/iss3/111
Included in
Health and Physical Education Commons, Medical Education Commons, Sports Sciences Commons