Abstract
Retro-locomotion (RL) is commonly used for sport specific conditioning, injury prevention and rehabilitation. Higher energy expenditures (VO2) have been reported for RL as compared to forward locomotion at equivalent velocities. The purpose of the study was to determine VO2 for RL and calculate regression equations for estimating energy expenditure for RL velocity. Forty-eight subjects (M=16, F=32, 28.1 yr ± 2.45) were familiarized with RL on both track and treadmill (TM) for a total of 60-90 min dispersed over 2-4 wk. Following familiarization, subjects completed discontinuous GXT's on a TM. Each stage was 4 min in length, allowing subjects to achieve steady state. TM velocity began at 2.0 mph and was increased by 0.5 to 1.0 mph/stage based upon subject tolerance. Velocity ranges were 2.0-4.5 and 2.5-7.5 mph for retro-walking and retro-running respectively. Regression analyses were performed using measured VO2(ml·kg-1·min-1) and velocity (mph). The following equations for estimating VO2 were calculated: Retro-walking Y=17.786 - 7.26 X + 2.565 X2; Retro-running Y=5.82 X + 8.37, Y: VO2(ml·kg-1·min-1), X: Velocity (mph). Retro-walking r and r2 were.9 (p <.01) and.81 respectively; for retro-running corresponding values were.76 (p <.01) and.57 respectively. The formulae may be useful to more precisely design conditioning programs to improve or maintain performance.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call