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- Title
Ground Contact Time Imbalances Strongly Related to Impaired Running Economy.
- Authors
JOUBERT, DUSTIN P.; GUERRA, NICHOLAS A.; JONES, ERIC J.; KNOWLES, ERICA G.; PIPER, AARON D.
- Abstract
Running economy (RE) is defined as the oxygen consumption (VO2) or caloric unit cost required to move at a specific velocity and is an important performance marker. Ground contact time (GCT) has been associated with RE; however, it has not been established how GCT imbalances between feet impact RE. Purpose: Determine the relationship between cadence, GCT, and GCT imbalances and RE. Methods: 11 NCAA Division I distance runners (7 male) completed a graded exercise test on a treadmill to determine lactate threshold (LT) and VO2max. Body composition was also assessed via DEXA. Subjects ran with a heart rate monitor capable of measuring cadence, GCT, and GCT balance between feet. VO2 and respiratory exchange ratio were recorded over the last minute of the 5-minute stages. RE expressed as caloric unit cost (kcal·kg-1·km-1) was calculated for the stage determined to be just below the LT (prior to > 4mmol/L) and was correlated with cadence, GCT, and GCT imbalance by Pearson correlations. Results: Pearson correlations between RE and the running dynamics measures were as follows: cadence (r = -.444, p = .171), GCT (r = .492, p = .125), GCT Imbalance (r = .808, p < .005). An independent t-test revealed greater (p = .023) leg lean mass imbalances in runners with larger GCT imbalances compared to runners with smaller GCT imbalances. Conclusion: GCT imbalances are strongly related to impaired RE. Future research should determine how to improve GCT imbalances and if doing so improves RE.
- Subjects
LONG-distance running; OXYGEN consumption; CALORIC expenditure; ENDURANCE athletes; PHYSICAL fitness for men; TREADMILL exercise tests; EXERCISE for men; BIOMECHANICS
- Publication
International Journal of Exercise Science, 2020, Vol 13, Issue 4, p427
- ISSN
1939-795X
- Publication type
Article