COMPARISON OF GROUND REACTION FORCES BETWEEN IN-PLACE AND FORWARD WATER RUNNING AT TWO LEVELS OF IMMERSION

Abstract

This study compared GRF of in-place and forward water running at two levels of immersion. Twenty healthy subjects executed both exercises at a self selected speed at hip and chest immersion. Variables analyzed were: vertical peak (Fy), anterior peak (Fx anterior) and posterior peak (Fx posterior). Two-factor repeated measures ANOVA was used with p<0.05. Although in-place running presented lower values of Fx anterior (0.05 BW at chest and 0.08 BW at hip), both Fx posterior (-0.05 BW at chest and -0.07 BW at hip) and Fy (1.10 BW at chest and 1.29 BW at hip) were greater than forward running (Fx anterior = 0.26 BW and 0.31 BW; Fx posterior = -0.02 BW and -0.03 BW; Fy 0.79 BW and 0.96 BW at chest an hip level respectively). The effect of level of immersion was only significant for Fy and Fx anterior, being greater at hip level.