Abstract
Support and unweighting systems, such as AlterG, are often used in rehabilitation and alternative training, which provide an exercise effect that can minimize fitness- or performance-related loss. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of using a treadmill bungee support system (Lightspeed lift) on oxygen consumption (energy expenditure), heart rate, and rating of perceived exertion. METHODS: Twenty-four participants (age (yrs)=22.1±2.9, ht (cm)=169.8±10.1, wt (kg)=76.6±13) completed two trials of walking (3mph) and two trials of jogging (5 mph) with and without support. Data was analyzed with IBM SPSS v27 (Chicago IL). Repeated Measures ANOVA were used to determine significant differences between sessions for each condition. Alpha was set to .05 for all tests. RESULTS: While there was no significant difference in VO2 while walking with (13.8±2.5 ml/kg/min) and without (13.0±1.4 ml/kg/min) the supports system, p=.381, there was a significant difference in VO2 while jogging with (26.6±4.0 ml/kg/min) and without it (29.2±2.5 ml/kg/min), p=.014.There was no significant difference in HR while walking with (106.9±15.5 b/min) and without (108.3±14.4 b/min) the support system, p=1.0, nor while jogging with (154.7±21.4) and without (160.0±20.2 b/min) it, p=.129. Participants perceived the support system provided 60.8±26.2% help while walking and 66.7±26.2% while jogging, however, there was no significant difference in RPE (Borg’s 6-20 scale) with (8.4±2.2) and without (8.3±1.9) support while walking, p=.913, nor with (12.1±2.5) and without (11.5±2.0) support while jogging, p=.130. Body weight was significantly lower with (68.4±13.4 kg) the support system prior to walking compared to without it (76.5±13.7 kg), p=.001, whereas body weight significantly increased with the support system at the conclusion of the 5-min walk (69.9±13.1 kg), p=.001. These same trends in body weight were evident before jogging with (68.8±13.2 kg) and without (76.5±13.6 kg ) the support system, p=.001, and after the 5-min jog with (70.1±13.1 kg) compared to without it prior to the jog, p=.001. CONCLUSION: While this system provides unloading, energy expenditure changes very little with the manufacturer's recommended unweighting.
Recommended Citation
Ramirez, Faith R.; Valdez, Danyel; Martinez, Araceli; and Smith, John D.
(2024)
"Effect of Unweighting using the Lightspeed Lift on Energy Expenditure During Treadmill Walking and Jogging,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2:
Iss.
16, Article 133.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss16/133
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