Mechanical Asymmetries during Treadmill Running: Effects of Running Velocity and Hypoxic Exposure
Studies evaluating mechanical asymmetry across a range of running velocities during treadmill runs have yielded inconsistent findings, while the impact of additional hypoxic exposure has never been investigated. The aim of this study was to characterize the effects of manipulating running velocity a...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-06-01
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| Series: | Symmetry |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-8994/15/7/1303 |
| _version_ | 1797587438911094784 |
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| author | Chris Chow Li Tee Mee Chee Chong Viswanath Sundar Chuen Leang Chok Wee Kian Yeo Olivier Girard |
| author_facet | Chris Chow Li Tee Mee Chee Chong Viswanath Sundar Chuen Leang Chok Wee Kian Yeo Olivier Girard |
| author_sort | Chris Chow Li Tee |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Studies evaluating mechanical asymmetry across a range of running velocities during treadmill runs have yielded inconsistent findings, while the impact of additional hypoxic exposure has never been investigated. The aim of this study was to characterize the effects of manipulating running velocity and hypoxic exposure on gait asymmetry during treadmill running. Eleven trained individuals performed seven runs at different velocities (8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 km·h<sup>−1</sup>) in a randomized order, each lasting 45 s. The running took place on an instrumented treadmill for normoxia (FiO<sub>2</sub> = 20.9%), moderate hypoxia (FiO<sub>2</sub> = 16.1%), high hypoxia (FiO<sub>2</sub> = 14.1%), and severe hypoxia (FiO<sub>2</sub> = 13.0%). Vertical and antero-posterior ground reaction force recordings over 20 consecutive steps (i.e., after running ∼25 s) allowed the measurement of running mechanics. Lower-limb asymmetry was assessed from the ‘symmetry angle’ (SA) score. Two-way repeated-measures ANOVA (seven velocities × four conditions) was used. There was no significant difference in SA scores for any of the biomechanical variables for velocity (except contact time and braking phase duration; <i>p</i> = 0.003 and <i>p</i> = 0.002, respectively), condition, or interaction. Mean SA scores varied between ∼1% and 2% for contact time (1.5 ± 0.8%), flight time (1.6 ± 0.6%), step length (0.8 ± 0.2%), peak vertical force (1.2 ± 0.5%), and mean vertical loading rate (2.1 ± 1.0%). Mean SA scores ranged from ∼2% to 5% for duration of braking (1.6 ± 0.7%) and push-off phases (1.9 ± 0.6%), as well as peak braking (5.0 ± 1.9%) and push-off forces (4.8 ± 1.7%). In conclusion, the trained runners exhibited relatively even strides, with mechanical asymmetries remaining low-to-moderate across a range of submaximal, constant running velocities (ranging from 8 to 20 km·h<sup>−1</sup>) and varying levels of hypoxia severity (between normoxia and severe hypoxia). |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T00:36:05Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-46e582ef79094bb2bf4a727f3f9c70db |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-8994 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T00:36:05Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Symmetry |
| spelling | doaj.art-46e582ef79094bb2bf4a727f3f9c70db2023-11-18T21:33:13ZengMDPI AGSymmetry2073-89942023-06-01157130310.3390/sym15071303Mechanical Asymmetries during Treadmill Running: Effects of Running Velocity and Hypoxic ExposureChris Chow Li Tee0Mee Chee Chong1Viswanath Sundar2Chuen Leang Chok3Wee Kian Yeo4Olivier Girard5Division of Research and Innovation, National Sports Institute of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 57000, MalaysiaSport and Exercise Medicine Group, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne 3122, AustraliaDivision of Sports Performance, National Sports Institute of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 57000, MalaysiaDivision of Sports Performance, National Sports Institute of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 57000, MalaysiaDivision of Research and Innovation, National Sports Institute of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 57000, MalaysiaSchool of Human Sciences (Exercise and Sport Science), The University of Western Australia, Perth 6009, AustraliaStudies evaluating mechanical asymmetry across a range of running velocities during treadmill runs have yielded inconsistent findings, while the impact of additional hypoxic exposure has never been investigated. The aim of this study was to characterize the effects of manipulating running velocity and hypoxic exposure on gait asymmetry during treadmill running. Eleven trained individuals performed seven runs at different velocities (8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 km·h<sup>−1</sup>) in a randomized order, each lasting 45 s. The running took place on an instrumented treadmill for normoxia (FiO<sub>2</sub> = 20.9%), moderate hypoxia (FiO<sub>2</sub> = 16.1%), high hypoxia (FiO<sub>2</sub> = 14.1%), and severe hypoxia (FiO<sub>2</sub> = 13.0%). Vertical and antero-posterior ground reaction force recordings over 20 consecutive steps (i.e., after running ∼25 s) allowed the measurement of running mechanics. Lower-limb asymmetry was assessed from the ‘symmetry angle’ (SA) score. Two-way repeated-measures ANOVA (seven velocities × four conditions) was used. There was no significant difference in SA scores for any of the biomechanical variables for velocity (except contact time and braking phase duration; <i>p</i> = 0.003 and <i>p</i> = 0.002, respectively), condition, or interaction. Mean SA scores varied between ∼1% and 2% for contact time (1.5 ± 0.8%), flight time (1.6 ± 0.6%), step length (0.8 ± 0.2%), peak vertical force (1.2 ± 0.5%), and mean vertical loading rate (2.1 ± 1.0%). Mean SA scores ranged from ∼2% to 5% for duration of braking (1.6 ± 0.7%) and push-off phases (1.9 ± 0.6%), as well as peak braking (5.0 ± 1.9%) and push-off forces (4.8 ± 1.7%). In conclusion, the trained runners exhibited relatively even strides, with mechanical asymmetries remaining low-to-moderate across a range of submaximal, constant running velocities (ranging from 8 to 20 km·h<sup>−1</sup>) and varying levels of hypoxia severity (between normoxia and severe hypoxia).https://www.mdpi.com/2073-8994/15/7/1303asymmetryground reaction forceshypoxiarunning mechanicssimulated altitudesymmetry angle scores |
| spellingShingle | Chris Chow Li Tee Mee Chee Chong Viswanath Sundar Chuen Leang Chok Wee Kian Yeo Olivier Girard Mechanical Asymmetries during Treadmill Running: Effects of Running Velocity and Hypoxic Exposure Symmetry asymmetry ground reaction forces hypoxia running mechanics simulated altitude symmetry angle scores |
| title | Mechanical Asymmetries during Treadmill Running: Effects of Running Velocity and Hypoxic Exposure |
| title_full | Mechanical Asymmetries during Treadmill Running: Effects of Running Velocity and Hypoxic Exposure |
| title_fullStr | Mechanical Asymmetries during Treadmill Running: Effects of Running Velocity and Hypoxic Exposure |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mechanical Asymmetries during Treadmill Running: Effects of Running Velocity and Hypoxic Exposure |
| title_short | Mechanical Asymmetries during Treadmill Running: Effects of Running Velocity and Hypoxic Exposure |
| title_sort | mechanical asymmetries during treadmill running effects of running velocity and hypoxic exposure |
| topic | asymmetry ground reaction forces hypoxia running mechanics simulated altitude symmetry angle scores |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-8994/15/7/1303 |
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