Is running style and economy affected by wearing respiratory apparatus?

Abstract

The purposes of this investigation were to compare selected gait parameters characteristic of running without respiratory apparatus on a treadmill (NOR) with those displayed while wearing a mouthpiece-breathing valve apparatus (MP) and while wearing a respiratory face mask (MASK), and to compare the running economy (RE) measured during MP with that measured during MASK. Seventeen male volunteers [age = 32 +/- 5 yr (mean +/- SD); mass = 72.4 +/- 9.0 kg] performed three treadmill runs in randomly assigned order. All runs were identical in terms of duration (10 min), speed [200 m. min-2 (7.5 mph)], and grade (0%). During the last minute of each run, RE was measured and coordinate data were collected for determination of mechanical variables. The mechanical analyses were limited to 12 subjects. Stride length, vertical oscillation of the center of mass, hip and ankle range of motion, and average internal mechanical power output were not different for NOR, MP, and MASK. Knee range of motion was significantly less (P < or = 0.05) during MP than during NOR and MASK, primarily due to a significant reduction in maximum knee flexion during nonsupport. MASK RE was not significantly different (P > 0.05) from MP RE. It was concluded that wearing MP or MASK generally does not affect running style of individuals running at comfortable, submaximal running speeds and that RE measured with MP is not different from that measured with MASK.