Stride Frequency and Submaximal Treadmill Running Economy in Adults and Children

1990 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viswanath B. Unnithan ◽  
Roger G. Eston
Keyword(s):  
Stride Length ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
The Body ◽  
Running Economy ◽  
Treadmill Running ◽  
Stride Frequency ◽  
Oxygen Cost ◽  
Demand Characteristics ◽  
Adults And Children ◽  
All Speeds

Previous studies have consistently shown that the body mass/relative oxygen cost of submaximal treadmill running is greater in children than in young adults. It has been suggested that the obligatory increased stride frequency in children might be at least partly responsible. This hypothesis was investigated by examining the association between stride frequency and oxygen demand characteristics in 10 aerobically fit prepubescent boys (ages 9-10 yrs) and 10 fit young men (ages 18-25 yrs) while running at fixed submaximal speeds on an electronically driven treadmill. The oxygen demand was higher at all running speeds in the boys’ group. To compensate for a shorter stride length, the boys demonstrated higher stride frequency at all speeds. To determine if the inferior running economy in the boys was partly due to the greater stride frequency, the relative oxygen demand per stride was compared between groups at all speeds. This value was similar in both groups. It is concluded that the apparently greater oxygen demand of running in boys may be due in part to the greater stride frequency required to maintain similar running speeds.

scholarly journals Functional Electrical Stimulation Changes Dynamic Resources in Children With Spastic Cerebral Palsy

2006 ◽  
Vol 86 (7) ◽  
pp. 987-1000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chia-Ling Ho ◽  
Kenneth G Holt ◽  
Elliot Saltzman ◽  
Robert C Wagenaar
Keyword(s):  
Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Functional Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Stride Length ◽  
The Body ◽  
Stride Frequency ◽  
Spastic Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Muscle Complex ◽  
Spring System

Abstract Background and Purpose. Children with cerebral palsy (CP) often are faced with difficulty in walking. The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effects of functional electrical stimulation (FES) applied to the gastrocnemius-soleus muscle complex on the ability to produce appropriately timed force and reduce stiffness (elastic property of the body) and on stride length and stride frequency during walking. Subjects and Methods. Thirteen children with spastic CP (including 4 children who were dropped from the study due to their inability to cooperate) and 6 children who were developing typically participated in the study. A crossover study design was implemented. The children with spastic CP were randomly assigned to either a group that received FES for 15 trials followed by no FES for 15 trials or a group that received no FES for 15 trials followed by FES for 15 trials. The children who were having typical development walked without FES. Kinematic data were collected for the children with CP in each walking condition and for the children who were developing typically. Impulse (force-producing ability) and stiffness were estimated from an escapement-driven pendulum and spring system model of human walking. Stride length and stride frequency also were measured. To compare between walking conditions and between the children with CP and the children who were developing typically, dimensional analysis and speed normalization procedures were used. Results. Nonparametric statistics showed that there was no significant difference between the children with CP in the no-FES condition and the children who were developing typically on speed-normalized dimensionless impulse. In contrast, the children with CP in the FES condition had a significantly higher median value than the children who were developing typically. The FES significantly increased speed-normalized dimensionless impulse from 10.02 to 16.32 when comparing walking conditions for the children with CP. No significant differences were found between walking conditions for stiffness, stride length, and stride frequency. Discussion and Conclusion. The results suggest that FES is effective in increasing impulse during walking but not in decreasing stiffness. The effect on increasing impulse does not result in more typical spatiotemporal gait parameters. [Ho CL, Holt KG, Saltzman E, Wagenaar RC. Functional electrical stimulation changes dynamic resources in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Phys Ther. 2006;86:987–1000.]

Level Versus Uphill Economy and Mechanical Responses in Elite Ultratrail Runners

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 1001-1005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah J. Willis ◽  
Jules Gellaerts ◽  
Benoît Mariani ◽  
Patrick Basset ◽  
Fabio Borrani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Phase ◽  
Treadmill Running ◽  
Stride Frequency ◽  
Measurement Unit ◽  
Net Energy ◽  
Motion Sensors ◽  
Oxygen Cost ◽  
Kinetics Parameters ◽  
Oxygen Kinetics ◽  
Level Versus

Purpose: To examine the net oxygen cost, oxygen kinetics, and kinematics of level and uphill running in elite ultratrail runners. Methods: Twelve top-level ultradistance trail runners performed two 5-min stages of treadmill running (level, 0%, men 15 km·h−1, women 13 km·h−1; uphill, 12%, men 10 km·h−1, women 9 km·h−1). Gas exchanges were measured to obtain the net oxygen cost and assess oxygen kinetics. In addition, running kinematics were recorded with inertial measurement unit motion sensors on the wrist, head, belt, and foot. Results: Relationships resulted between level and uphill running regarding oxygen uptake (), respiratory exchange ratio, net energy, and oxygen cost, as well as oxygen kinetics parameters of amplitude and time delay of the primary phase and time to reach steady state. Of interest, net oxygen cost demonstrated a significant correlation between level and uphill conditions (r = .826, P < .01). Kinematics parameters demonstrated relationships between level and uphill running, as well (including contact time, aerial time, stride frequency, and stiffness; all P < .01). Conclusion: This study indicated strong relationships between level and uphill values of net oxygen cost, the time constant of the primary phase of oxygen kinetics, and biomechanical parameters of contact and aerial time, stride frequency, and stiffness in elite mountain ultratrail runners. The results show that these top-level athletes are specially trained for uphill locomotion at the expense of their level running performance and suggest that uphill running is of utmost importance for success in mountain ultratrail races.

scholarly journals Meta Products towards a “gait/running style app”

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Daumer ◽  
Andreas N. Schneider ◽  
Damian Mrowca ◽  
Rui Ding ◽  
Han Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Injury Risk ◽  
The Body ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Treadmill Running ◽  
Machine Learning Techniques ◽  
Stride Frequency ◽  
Learning Techniques ◽  
Outdoor Environments ◽  
The Individual

Background: The individual running style has an impact on the running performance as well as the running injury risk. In order to increase the performance and lower the injury risk, runners should be educated towards a healthy running style. But before advices can be made it is crucial to distinguish running styles from each other.Aim: The stretch goal is to build a running style app, which is able to track and display the user’s current running style by using accelerometry data, based on which advice can be given for a healthy and efficient running style with the help of gaming tools. To validate the approach, a gold standard with outdoor running acceleration data has to be created.Methods: The accelerometry data used by the smartphone app is gathered from the “actibelt”, an accelerometer included in a belt buckle. This sensor collects data close to the body COM in all three dimensions which is transferred to a smartphone via Bluetooth in real-time. The focus of this work is the validation of an acceleration based detection of different running styles, namely heel strikes, midfoot strikes and forefoot strikes. Features, which are able to clearly distinguish different running styles, have to be extracted out of the accelerometry data with machine learning techniques (SVM). Laboratory experiments have been conducted to analyze the actibelt data of three test persons performing heel, midfoot and forefoot strikes on a pressure sensitive treadmill with video control. As running apps are mainly used outdoors, the results had to be reproduced with outdoor running data. In an extreme ends approach four test persons with different running experience ranging from professional to occasional runners were asked to successively run on their heels, midfoot and forefoot, while accelerometry data was recorded and synchronized with mobile high speed video. The different running styles were performed on different substrates, with different shoes and speeds. Discussion/Conclusion: While significant differences in the accelerometry data of the running styles have been observed in the laboratory, those differences couldn’t be reproduced in outdoor environments. Characteristic peak patterns (Lieberman, nature 463, 531-535) could be reproduced in the laboratory but disappeared in outdoor running. The most distorting aspects are the harder and less comfortable surface and an irregular speed compared to treadmill running. Hence, for a reliable detection of the running style, the actibelt data may be complemented by further sensors, e.g. placed in the socks. A promising idea is to influence the stride frequency of runners at given speeds to improve the individual running style.

scholarly journals Meta Products towards a “gait/running style app”

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Daumer ◽  
Andreas N. Schneider ◽  
Damian Mrowca ◽  
Rui Ding ◽  
Han Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Injury Risk ◽  
The Body ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Treadmill Running ◽  
Machine Learning Techniques ◽  
Stride Frequency ◽  
Learning Techniques ◽  
Outdoor Environments ◽  
The Individual

Background: The individual running style has an impact on the running performance as well as the running injury risk. In order to increase the performance and lower the injury risk, runners should be educated towards a healthy running style. But before advices can be made it is crucial to distinguish running styles from each other.Aim: The stretch goal is to build a running style app, which is able to track and display the user’s current running style by using accelerometry data, based on which advice can be given for a healthy and efficient running style with the help of gaming tools. To validate the approach, a gold standard with outdoor running acceleration data has to be created.Methods: The accelerometry data used by the smartphone app is gathered from the “actibelt”, an accelerometer included in a belt buckle. This sensor collects data close to the body COM in all three dimensions which is transferred to a smartphone via Bluetooth in real-time. The focus of this work is the validation of an acceleration based detection of different running styles, namely heel strikes, midfoot strikes and forefoot strikes. Features, which are able to clearly distinguish different running styles, have to be extracted out of the accelerometry data with machine learning techniques (SVM). Laboratory experiments have been conducted to analyze the actibelt data of three test persons performing heel, midfoot and forefoot strikes on a pressure sensitive treadmill with video control. As running apps are mainly used outdoors, the results had to be reproduced with outdoor running data. In an extreme ends approach four test persons with different running experience ranging from professional to occasional runners were asked to successively run on their heels, midfoot and forefoot, while accelerometry data was recorded and synchronized with mobile high speed video. The different running styles were performed on different substrates, with different shoes and speeds. Discussion/Conclusion: While significant differences in the accelerometry data of the running styles have been observed in the laboratory, those differences couldn’t be reproduced in outdoor environments. Characteristic peak patterns (Lieberman, nature 463, 531-535) could be reproduced in the laboratory but disappeared in outdoor running. The most distorting aspects are the harder and less comfortable surface and an irregular speed compared to treadmill running. Hence, for a reliable detection of the running style, the actibelt data may be complemented by further sensors, e.g. placed in the socks. A promising idea is to influence the stride frequency of runners at given speeds to improve the individual running style.

Gait-Cycle Characteristics and Running Economy in Elite Eritrean and European Runners

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 381-387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordan Santos-Concejero ◽  
Jesús Oliván ◽  
José L. Maté-Muñoz ◽  
Carlos Muniesa ◽  
Marta Montil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Contact Time ◽  
Stride Length ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Running Economy ◽  
Stride Frequency ◽  
Ground Contact ◽  
Gas Exchange Parameters ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Swing Time ◽  
Ground Contact Time

Purpose:This study aimed to determine whether biomechanical characteristics such as ground-contact time, swing time, and stride length and frequency contribute to the exceptional running economy of East African runners.Methods:Seventeen elite long-distance runners (9 Eritrean, 8 European) performed an incremental maximal running test and 3 submaximal running bouts at 17, 19, and 21 km/h. During the tests, gas-exchange parameters were measured to determine maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and running economy (RE). In addition, ground-contact time, swing time, stride length, and stride frequency were measured.Results:The European runners had higher VO2max values than the Eritrean runners (77.2 ± 5.2 vs 73.5 ± 6.0 mL · kg−1 · min−1, P = .011, effect sizes [ES] = 0.65), although Eritrean runners were more economical at 19 km/h (191.4 ± 10.4 vs 205.9 ± 13.3 mL · kg−1 · min−1, P = .026, ES = 1.21). There were no differences between groups for ground-contact time, swing time, stride length, or stride frequency at any speed. Swing time was associated with running economy at 21 km/h in the Eritrean runners (r = .71, P = .033), but no other significant association was found between RE and biomechanical variables. Finally, best 10-km performance was significantly correlated with RE (r = –.57; P = .013).Conclusions:Eritrean runners have superior RE compared with elite European runners. This appears to offset their inferior VO2max. However, the current data suggest that their better RE does not have a biomechanical basis. Other factors, not measured in the current study, may contribute to this RE advantage.

Is Running Economy Different between Adults and Children?

1996 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 351-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann F. Maliszewski ◽  
Patty S. Freedson
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Stride Length ◽  
Running Economy ◽  
Relative Speed ◽  
Leg Length ◽  
Ventilatory Equivalent ◽  
Adults And Children

In this study, running economy differences between boys and men at a common speed (ABS = 9.6 kph) and at a relative speed adjusted for body size (REL = 3.71 leg lengths per second) were examined. The caloric cost relative to mass was significantly higher for the boys for ABS (men = .17, boys = .20), but not for REL (both .19). The relative heart rate (%HRmax) and ventilatory equivalent were higher for the boys at ABS, but not at REL. Boys had significantly higher stride frequencies in both conditions. Stride length/leg length was greater for boys during ABS, and for men during REL. Respiratory exchange ratios (RERs) were not different at ABS (men = .94, boys = .96), but during REL, boys had a significantly lower RER (.93 vs. .98). Running economy differences between adults and children are reduced when speeds are adjusted relative to body size. This model may be useful for identifying developmentally based differences in the physiology and biomechanics associated with exercise.

The Reliability and Variability of Running Economy in 7-, 8-, and 9-Year-Old Children

1994 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 287-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danette M. Rogers ◽  
Kenneth R. Turley ◽  
Kathleen I. Kujawa ◽  
Kevin M. Harper ◽  
Jack H. Wilmore
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Oxygen Consumption ◽  
Body Surface ◽  
Stride Length ◽  
Respiratory Exchange Ratio ◽  
Running Economy ◽  
Intraindividual Variability ◽  
Stride Frequency ◽  
Single Test ◽  
Reliability Estimates

This study was designed to examine the reliability and variability of running economy in 7-, 8-, and 9-year-old boys and girls. Forty-two children (21 boys and 21 girls) participated in two submaximal treadmill tests to determine running economy at two absolute work rates (5 mph and 6 mph). Reliability and variability were determined for oxygen consumption (V̇O2), heart rate (HR), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), stride frequency, and stride length. With the exception of RER and V̇O2 relative to body surface area, reliability estimates were moderate to high (.80 to .94). Mean variability of all responses were similar to those reported for adults, however, the range of intraindividual variability was slightly greater. These results indicate that two submaximal measurements result in higher reliability estimates than a single test and may therefore provide a more appropriate description of a child’s running economy.

scholarly journals Connecting the legs with a spring improves human running economy

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cole S. Simpson ◽  
Cara G. Welker ◽  
Scott D. Uhlrich ◽  
Sean M. Sketch ◽  
Rachel W. Jackson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stance Phase ◽  
Adaptive Strategies ◽  
Gait Pattern ◽  
The Body ◽  
Assistive Robotics ◽  
Running Economy ◽  
Simple Device ◽  
Stride Frequency ◽  
Complex Mechanism ◽  
Human Running

Spring-like tissues attached to the swinging legs of animals are thought to improve running economy by simply reducing the effort of leg swing. Here we show that a spring, or ‘exotendon,’ connecting the legs of a human runner improves economy instead through a more complex mechanism that produces savings during both swing and stance. The spring increases the energy optimal stride frequency; when runners adopt this new gait pattern, savings occur in both phases of gait. Remarkably, the simple device improves running economy by 6.4 ± 2.8%, comparable to savings achieved by motorized assistive robotics that directly target the costlier stance phase of gait. Our results highlight the importance of considering both the dynamics of the body and the adaptive strategies of the user when designing systems that couple human and machine.

Design of Passive Lower Limb Exoskeleton to Aid in Injury Mitigation and Muscular Efficiency

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dylan Tracey ◽  
Hao Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Stride Length ◽  
Human Locomotion ◽  
Running Economy ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Stride Frequency ◽  
Load Variations ◽  
Lower Limb Exoskeleton ◽  
Viable Solution ◽  
The Impact

Abstract With the duties and responsibilities of the military, they are on the cutting edge of R&D and the latest and greatest technologies. One significant problem effecting thousands of soldiers are injuries to the lower limbs, specifically the knees, as a result of high impact to the joints and muscles. Through the research of biomechanics and ergonomics during human locomotion of running, cause and effects fatigue, muscular activation during running, gait cycle force analysis, and biomimicry of kangaroos, we were able to identify lower limb exoskeletons as a viable solution to the problem. The purpose of this research was to develop a relatively inexpensive prototype of a passive lower limb exoskeleton to aid in injury mitigation and muscular efficiency for soldiers. The hypothesis was that a lower limb exoskeleton would reduce/mitigate injuries by reducing stride length and increases stride frequency to lower impact on the knees while running. The prototype was tested by one participant on a 2-mile course with two load variations tested while running. The key results were seen from the spring systems potential to increase average stride cadence/frequency by 6–14% and reduce impact on joints and muscles by increasing the number of steps and reducing high center of gravity oscillation by 13–27%. Furthermore, this study provides evidence and research that proves that a passive lower limb exoskeleton design, which increases stride frequency and reduces stride length, can mitigate injuries to the lower limbs when running with weight by reducing the impact forces on the knees and improving running economy.

scholarly journals The Effect of Stride Frequency on Running Economy and Running Distance During High Intensity Treadmill Running

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-14
Author(s):  
Boram Lim ◽  
Young Sub Kwon
Keyword(s):  
High Intensity ◽  
Anaerobic Capacity ◽  
Running Economy ◽  
Treadmill Running ◽  
Stride Frequency ◽  
Endurance Running ◽  
Running Performance ◽  
Volitional Fatigue ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
Recreational Runners

Running economy (RE; ml·kg-1·km1) considers as a valid predictor of endurance running performance. Theoretically, improving RE allows runners to cover more distance at constant speed or run faster at a given distance. Stride frequency (SF) is one of the important parameters that affects running performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of SF on RE and distance while running on the treadmill at the speed of V̇O2max (sV̇O2max) until volitional fatigue. The second purpose was to determine a relationship between RE and running distance during high intensity running. We hypothesized that both RE and running distance would affect significantly by SF variations and there is a positive relationship between RE and running distance. Ten male recreational runners (age: 25.8 ± 5.0 yrs, height: 171.4 ± 6.2 cm, mass: 71.9 ± 7.5 kg) completed total seven experimental sessions including graded exercise test and running session for determining V̇O2max (55.4 ± 5.9 ml·kg-1·min1) and preferred SF (PSF; 88.0±3.9 strides/min), respectively. Running speed was calculated based on V̇O2max using the metabolic equation; V̇O2 (ml·kg-1·min1) = [0.2 × Speed(m/min)] + 3.5(ml·kg-1·min1). Participants performed five separate running sessions (PSF, ±5%, ±10%) on the treadmill at the sV̇O2max with 0% gradient until volitional fatigue. A computer-based metronome was played in order to help maintain a target SF while running. The running distance was significantly different among SF variations (p < 0.01) and all participants ran the greater distance at 105% PSF. However, RE was not statistically significant (p = 0.19) across the SF conditions. There was a low correlation between RE and running distance (r = 0.214, p = 0.14). SF variations have a significant influence on running distance, but not RE during high intensity running. Recretional runners may use 105% PSF during high intensity running to train both aerobic and anaerobic capacity.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document