COMPARISON IN LOWER LIMB KINEMATICS AFFECTING RUNNING ECONOMY OF TRAINED AND UNTRAINED RUNNERS

Abstract

This study compared trained and untrained runners to explore factors affecting running economy(RE). Trained male and untrained male distance runners participated in this study. The trained participants ran for 4 min at 6 different constant speeds, while the untrained participants ran at 4 different constant speeds on a level treadmill. During the test, respiratory variables associated with RE were continuously measured using an expiration gas analysis system. Stride parameters such as step length and frequency, as well as phase time and joint kinematics such as joint angles, range of motion, and joint angular velocity of the lower limb joints were calculated from marker coordinates. There was a significant difference in RE between trained and untrained runners. Some stride characteristics significantly affected both training and RE.