GROUND REACTION FORCES OF STEP EXERCISE DEPENDING ON STEP FREQUENCY AND BENCH HEIGHT

Abstract

Step exercise is one of the most famous Fitness activities. Different music speeds and bench heights can be used in Step classes. During the step cycle the higher mechanical load is experienced when the first foot steps down. The purpose of this study was to determine the ground reaction forces (GRF) of the step-down phase, depending on step frequency and bench height. Two groups of subjects participated in this study: a) 20 female subjects, mean age of 25 years, skilled in Step exercise; and b) 15 female subjects, post menopause, mean age of 62 years. Kistler force plate signals were collected. Increasing step frequency and bench height leads to the increase of mechanical load, which appears trigger adaptations of the movement technique.