Abstract
The Lightspeed Lift, which is an unweighting system that utilizes bungee cords for support, offers a more affordable alternative to other unweighting systems. Few studies have explored its effect on energy expenditure, perceived exertion, and how much body weight is reduced. PURPOSE: To examine two different bungee attachments on oxygen consumption (VO2), heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE, VAS) and body weight. METHODS: Participants (n=16, age=33.94±14.9 yrs, ht=168.4±9.4 cm, wt=72.2±11.7 kg) jogged on a treadmill at five mph for 10 min while interfaced with an oxygen analyzer without unweighting (NU), unweighted with a standard tension bungee (ST), and with a high-tension bungee (HT). Participants were weighed on the treadmill with and without support before and after the ten-minute jog. Repeated measures ANOVA were used to identify differences, with Alpha set at .05. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in HR between the trials, F(5, 10) = 8.5, p = .002, with NU being significantly higher than HT at 10 min, p = .005. There was also a significant difference in VO2 between the trials, F(5, 11) = 7.9, p = .002, with NU being significantly higher than ST and HT at both 5 and 10 min, p < .05. There was a significant difference in body weight between unloading and loading, F(5, 10) = 252.3, p = .001, whereas body weight was significantly different between all unweighted trials (p = .001). At the end of the jog, participants were unweighted 13.4% and 22.2% for ST and HT, respectively. During ST, participants gained back 3.2% of their body weight after the jog and 6.9% during HT. There was a significant difference in RPE between unloading and loading, F(2, 14) = 7.0, p = .008. Participants perceived (Borg's 6-20) unweighting in UL, UI, and UH to significantly reduce effort compared to NU, p < .05. Participants perceived HT (7.9±1.2 cm) to help them more compared to ST (5.9±1.9 cm) p = .001. CONCLUSION: Although HR was not significantly different for most comparisons, VO2 and body weight were significantly reduced using both bungees. Participants also perceived the HT to help more than the ST. This evidence shows utilization of this device in rehabilitation setting and recovery training.
Recommended Citation
Barrera, Jaelynn; Guerra, GARY; and Smith, John D.
(2025)
"Effect of a Bungee Tension System on Physiological and Perceptual Variables while Jogging,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2:
Iss.
17, Article 169.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss17/169
Included in
Health and Physical Education Commons, Medical Education Commons, Sports Sciences Commons
