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EFFECT OF VISUAL AND AUDIO FEEDBACK ON PERCEIVED RUNNING FATIGUE AND RUNNING BIOMECHANICS

Abstract

A. Terterov, M. Dreher, L. Freiermuth, P. Schaps, H. Yeager, O. Feistner, J.H. Zhang-Lea

Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA

PURPOSE: Tempo and inspirational lyrics are two major components in music and can both potentially delay fatigue in endurance running through synchronizing the movement with the tempo (synchronous response) or distracting the runner with inspirational content (attentional processing). This study aims to determine which component of music is more influential in affecting running biomechanics and perceived fatigue. METHODS: 14 subjects completed three running trials for up to 10 minutes each, including a non-stimulus (NS), a visual stimulus (VS), and a visual and auditory stimulus (VAS) trial. We utilized a visual metronome to standardize cadence for the VS and VAS trial, and a motivational talk to standardize auditory feedback in the VAS trial. For each minute, we assessed runners’ Borg scale for perceived exhaustion and calculated root-mean-square (RMS) values to determine running sway using trunk triaxial acceleration data. We measured the subjects’ center of pressure (CoP) position while standing before and after each running trial using a force plate and calculated the area of a 95% confidence interval ellipse to quantify standing sway. RESULTS: Compared to running with NS, when running with VS and VAS, runners reported a lower exhaustion rating based on Borg’s scale (F=4.99, p=0.026). They also reported reduced running RMS in front-and-back (F=6.68, p=0.00147), up-and-down (F=6.19, p=0.0236), and resultant directions (F=6.30, p=0.00212). When looking at the percent difference relative to NS trials, we did not find a difference in resultant RMS between VS and VAS (F=0.46, p=0.50). Compared to pre-running, CoP sway increased after running due to fatigue (F=18.3, p=0.001), but CoP sway was not affected when running under different conditions (F=0.083, p= 0.92). CONCLUSION: Utilizing a visual metronome to control cadence delayed fatigue, which is potentially due to the theory that a synchronous movement with rhythmic beats delays fatigue and improves running efficiency. However, adding auditory stimulus with inspirational content did not further delay fatigue. We consider the tempo component in music more essential in delaying fatigue in endurance running.

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