The Effects Of Graded Forward And Backward Walking, At A Matched Intensity, On Heart Rate And Perceived Exertion

Abstract

Backward walking has long been used in sports conditioning programs and rehabilitative settings. Although several studies have compared forward and backward walking in terms of heart rate (HR) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) responses, intensity was not matched between trials. PURPOSE: To measure HR and RPE responses during backward and forward walking exercises at a matched intensity. METHODS: Ten participants, five males and five females (age = 19.8 ± 0.9 yr, height = 172.0 ± 8.0 cm, weight = 76.1 ± 13.9 kg, BMI = 25.6 ± 3.7 kg·m-2, VO2max = 44.86 ± 9.40 ml·kg-1·min-1), completed three lab sessions, seven to fourteen days apart. On day one, maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) was measured for each participant utilizing the Bruce Protocol and open circuit spirometery. On day two, participants completed a 15 minute backward walking trial (BWT) at 67 m·min-1 and 10% grade. On day three, participants completed a 15 minute forward walking trial (FWT) at an intensity similar to BWT. To match the intensity between trials, the speed remained constant and the incline was computed using ACSM metabolic equations. On days two and three, open circuit spirometery was used, and in order to allow participants to achieve steady state exercise, data was collected during the last ten minutes of each trial. RESULTS: Metabolic, HR, and perceptual data are presented in the table below:Table: No title available.CONCLUSION: Backward walking, when compared to forward walking, on a treadmill at ∼ 57 % VO2R, elicited greater CO2 production, and HR and perceptual responses. These differences may be related to 1) differences in the number of activated motor units, 2) differences between the levels of recruitment of different muscles (tibialis anterior versus gastrocnemius), and/or 3) alternation in stride length and stride frequency between trials.