Forward Running Research Articles

Muscle activity during backward and forward running with body weight support

We investigated muscle activity during backward (BR) and forward (FR) running with body weight support (BWS). Ten participants completed BR and FR on a lower body positive pressure treadmill while selecting a preferred speed (PS) for different BWS conditions (0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%BWS). Muscle activity from the rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris (BF), tibialis anterior (TA), and gastrocnemius (GA), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), preferred stride frequency (PSF), and PS were measured. Magnitude of muscle activity (BF, TA, and GA), RPE, PSF, and PS were not influenced by the interaction of direction and BWS (P>0.05). BF, TA, and GA were not different between directions (P>0.05) but were different between BWS conditions (P<0.01). RF was influenced by the interaction of direction and BWS (P<0.01). RF, BF, TA, and GA during BR were lower with increasing BWS. RF during BR was 59–86% higher than that of FR within BWS condition. RPE was lower with increasing BWS (P<0.001), regardless of direction of locomotion. PSF was lower and PS was higher during BR and FR with increasing BWS (both P<0.001). PSF during BR was 6–9% higher than that of FR. PS during BR was 24–31% lower than that of FR. These observations demonstrate that a change in BWS influences magnitude of muscle activity, PS, PSF, and RPE for both BR and FR. However, a change in direction of locomotion may not influence magnitude of muscle activity or RPE during running for a given BWS, even though muscle activity pattern, PS, and PSF were different between BR and FR.

Asymmetric interlimb role-sharing in mechanical power during human sideways locomotion

Sideways movement at a wide variety of speeds is required in daily life and sports. The purpose of this study was to identify the characteristics of asymmetry in power output between lower limbs during sideways gait patterns. Seven healthy men performed steady-state sideways locomotion at various speeds. The mechanical external power of each limb was calculated and decomposed to the lateral and vertical components by the center of mass velocity and ground reaction force. We acquired data from 126 steps of sideways walking at 0.44–1.21m/s, and from 41 steps of sideways galloping at 1.04–3.00m/s. The results showed asymmetric power production between the limbs during sideways locomotion. During sideways walking, the trailing limb predominantly produced positive external power and the leading limb produced predominantly negative external power, and these amplitudes increased with step speed. In contrast, during sideways galloping, negative and subsequent positive power production was observed in both limbs. These differences in asymmetric interlimb role-sharing were mainly due to the vertical component. During sideways galloping, the trailing limb absorbs vertical power produced by the leading limb due to the longer flight time. This characteristic of vertical power production in the trailing limb may explain the presence of a double-support phase, which is not observed during forward running, even at high speeds. Our results will help to elucidate the asymmetric movements of the limbs in lateral directions at various speeds.

The Effect of Standard Strength vs. Contrast Strength Training on the Development of Sprint, Agility, Repeated Change of Direction, and Jump in Junior Male Soccer Players

Hammami, M, Negra, Y, Shephard, RJ, and Chelly, MS. The effect of standard strength vs. contrast strength training on the development of sprint, agility, repeated change of direction, and jump in junior male soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 31(4): 901-912, 2017-The aim was to compare the impact of 2 differing strength training (ST) programs on the athletic performance of junior male soccer players at a critical phase during their competitive season. Participants aged 16.0 ± 0.5 years were randomly assigned between control (C, n = 12), standard ST (n = 16), and contrast strength training (CST, n = 16), each performed twice a week. Athletic performance was assessed before and after the intervention using 8 tests: 40-m sprint, 4 × 5-m sprint (S4 × 5), 9-3-6-3-9 m sprint with 180° turns (S180°), 9-3-6-3-9 m sprint with backward and forward running (SBF), repeated shuttle sprint ability (RSSA), repeated change of direction (RCOD), squat jump (SJ), and countermovement jump (CMJ). The control group's (CG) performance tended to improve in some tests and decrease in others, but these changes were not statistically significant. Both training programs enhanced all sprint performances relative to controls (p ≤ 0.05). The strength training group (SG) and the CST group (CSG) increased significantly in S180°, SBF, and S4 × 5 relative to CG, although the S4 × 5 also increased in CSG relative to SG (p ≤ 0.05). No intergroup difference of RSSA performance was observed. The RCOD parameters increased significantly in CSG relative to both SG and CG (p ≤ 0.05). The SJ and CMJ height increased significantly in both experimental groups (p < 0.000). We conclude that during the competitive season, some measures of athletic performance in male soccer players were increased more by 8 weeks of CST than by ST.

Hull forms and straight forward CFD free running trials of high-speed shuttle vessels

Hull forms and straight forward CFD free running trials of high-speed shuttle vessels

Effects of leg contrast strength training on sprint, agility and repeated change of direction performance in male soccer players.

Contrast training is a popular technique among individuals who are involved in dynamic sports, having as its goal an increase in dynamic muscular performance. It is characterized by the use of high and low loads in the same strength training session. The present investigation aimed to determine the effects of adding 8 weeks of contrast strength training (CSTP) to regular soccer practice in U-17 male soccer players during the competitive season. We hypothesized that CSTP would enhance their performance. Subjects were divided randomly between a control group (CG, N.=12) and a contrast strength group (CSG, N.=19). The 2 groups trained together; controls followed the regular soccer program, which was replaced by a contrast strength training program for the experimental group. Performance was assessed before and after training, using 10 measures: 5-10-, 20- 30-, and 40-m sprints, a 4x5 m sprint (S4x5), a 9-3-6-3-9 m sprint with 180° turns (S180), a 9-3-6-3-9 m sprint with backward and forward running (SBF), a Repeated-Shuttle-Sprint Ability Test (RSSA), and a Repeated Change of Direction Test (RCOD). CSG showed gains relative to controls in 5-m (P<0.000), 10-m (P<0.001), 20-m (P<0.001), 30-m (P<0.05) and 40-m (P<0.05) sprints. There were also significant gains in S180°, SBF, and S4 x 5 agility tests (P<0.01), and all RCOD parameters (P<0.05) except RCOD-FI (P=0.055) but no significant change in any RSSA parameters. We conclude that biweekly contrast strength training can be commended to U-17 male soccer players as a means of improving many important components of athletic performance relative to standard in-season training.

The Effects of Agility Type Sprint Interval Training and Continuous Training on Aerobic and Anaerobic Capabilities of Young Soccer Players

The study aimed to investigate the effects of short agility type (SIT) and continuous training (CT) to enhance aerobic and anaerobic capabilities in young soccer players. 34 participants from two teams were evaluated. The SIT group (n=17) performed three to five sets of 3 × 40 m agility type maximal sprints. The CT group (n=17) performed 28 to 41 min of continuous forward running at 65% HRmax. Both groups trained two sessions a week. The following Outcomes were measured at baseline and after 6 weeks: HRTP, HRmax, YOYOIR, 30 m sprint, 300 m shuttle run, vertical jump and agility test. At the post-test the 30 m time improved significantly in both the SIT and CT by 5% and 4.8%, agility test by 4.1% and 5.9%, Yo-YoIR test by 547 m and 501 m, respectively. SIT group recorded improvements in the 300 m shuttle run (3.7%) but CT showed a significant improvement in the HRTP. The 12 SIT training sessions showed no significantly greater effects on the soccer-specific aerobic and anaerobic capabilities in comparison to the CT training. Intermittent loads similar to SIT are frequently performed by soccer players with accompanying limited duration of experiment and volume most likely covered transformational specificity of applied SIT.

Effects of an In-season Plyometric Training Program on Repeated Change of Direction and Sprint Performance in the Junior Soccer Player

Hammami, M, Negra, Y, Aouadi, R, Shephard, RJ, and Chelly, MS. Effects of an in-season plyometric training program on repeated change of direction and sprint performance in the junior soccer player. J Strength Cond Res 30(12): 3312-3320, 2016-We aimed to determine the gains in explosive movements of male junior soccer players induced by incorporating an 8-week plyometric training program (PTP) into a standard soccer conditioning regimen 5 months after the beginning of the competitive season. Our hypothesis was that PTP would enhance explosive movements, and thus sprint running, repeated shuttle sprint ability (RSSA), agility and the ability to make repeated changes of direction (RCOD). A group of junior soccer players were randomly divided into 2 groups: an experimental group (E, n = 15, age 15.7 ± 0.2 years) and a control group (C, n = 13, age 15.8 ± 0.2 years). The participants in E and C performed training exercises and matches together, but for an 8-week period in the latter part of the season, the experimental group replaced a part of the normal regimen (the tactical session) by a biweekly course of PTP (hurdle and drop jumps). Two familiarization sessions were held 2 weeks before definitive testing. The ability of the players was assessed by 3 agility tests (a sprint test with 180° turns, a 9-3-6-3-9 m sprint with backward and forward running, and a four 5-m sprint test with turns); 2 repeated sprint tests (RSSA and RCOD); and running times over 5-, 10-, 20-, 30-, and 40-m distances. Participants in E showed gains relative to C in sprint times (p ≤ 0.05 for 5, 10, and 20 m), and 2 of 3 the RCOD parameters (RCOD best, p ≤ 0.001; RCOD total, p ≤ 0.05). However, with the pattern of plyometric training that we adopted, and perhaps because participants were in good initial physical condition, the agility and RSSA test scores remained unchanged. Nevertheless, we conclude that our PTP can be commended to junior soccer players as a means of improving important components of their physical performance.

The physical meaning of transmission-line parameters in a full-wave theory

Abstract. In the potential-current representation, transmission-line parameters in the Transmission-Line Super Theory (TLST) do not have a direct physical meaning – they are gauge dependent, i.e.: they are different in the Lorenz and Coulomb gauge. However, they retain traces of their classical origin: They are constituted of capacitances and inductances for forward and backward running waves along the lines. Therefore their corresponding matrices are not symmetrical as in the case of classical transmission-line theory. In the charge-current representation the parameter matrices have a physical meaning: their elements consist of damping functions due to the non-uniformities of the lines and of the propagation functions along the lines, incorporating conductor and radiation losses. The transmission line parameters also contribute to the total radiated power of the lines. The attempt to quantize radiation locally, fails because radiation describes a long-range (integral) interaction, and therefore affects all conductor parts of all lines. However, it can be stated that at stronger inhomogeneities the local contributions to radiation increase, and are particularly recognizable along the risers.

Numerical simulation on the temperature field in an equipment cabin of a high-speed railway train

With train speed increasing, the heat generation from its key equipment is growing as well and the cooling and ventilation of the equipment cabin become more and more important. In this paper, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method is adopted to simulate the airflow and the temperature field in indoor and outdoor space of the equipment cabin when the train moves at 250 km/h in open space. The simulation results indicate that the surface temperature of the main heat generation equipment is not beyond the limit. When the train moves forward and backward, the maximum average surface temperature of the heat generation equipment is 56.5 °C and 71.7 °C, respectively, and the airflow rates of the fans in the equipment cabin are decreased by 9.1% and 5.2%, if compared to the rated value, respectively. Both forward and backward running conditions should be considered when designing the layout of the equipment and grilles. It is suggested that, the major heat generation equipment should be located in the middle of the cabin; the flow rate decrement of the cooling fan when the train moves at 250 km/h should be taken into account.

Muscle Activity During Backward And Forward Running At Reduced Body Weight

Body weight (BW) support during locomotion is used for both forward and backward locomotion. However, muscle activity during locomotion in different directions at different levels of BW support is not known. PURPOSE: To investigate muscle activity during backward (BR) and forward (FR) running at different BW support conditions. METHODS: Ten subjects (23.1±3.5 yrs) completed BR and FR on a lower body positive pressure treadmill; selecting a preferred speed for different BW support conditions (0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% of BW). Muscle activity from the rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris (BF), tibialis anterior (TA), and gastrocnemius (GA) were measured and averaged across 15 s (zero offset removed, full-wave rectified). In addition, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), preferred stride frequency (PSF), and preferred speed (PS) were measured. All parameters were analyzed using 2 (direction) x 5 (BW) repeated measures ANOVA (α = 0.05). When an interaction effect was observed, post hoc analysis was performed using a Fisher’s protected least significant difference multiple comparison test (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Muscle activity (BF, TA, and GA), RPE, PSF, and PS were not influenced by the interaction of direction and BW support (P>0.05). BF, TA, and GA were not different between directions (P>0.05) but were different between BW support conditions (P<0.05). RF was influenced by the interaction of direction and BW support (P<0.05). For example, RF during BR at 0% BW support condition was significantly higher than that of BR at 40% (P<0.05), 60% (P<0.05), and 80% (P<0.05) BW support conditions. RF, BF, TA, and GA during BR were lower with increasing BW support (e.g., a decrease of 33%~60% between 80% and 0% BW support conditions). RPE during BR and FR were lower with increasing BW support (P<0.05) regardless of direction of locomotion (P>0.05). PSF and PS were different between directions (P<0.05) and between BW support conditions (P<0.05). PSF during BR and FR were lower and PS higher with increasing BW support. PSF during BR was 6%~9% higher than that of FR. PS during BR was 24%~31% lower than that of FR (e.g., 8.9±1.7 km/h vs. 11.9±3.2 km/h for BR and FR at 80% BW support condition, respectively). CONCLUSION: BW support influenced muscle activity whereas direction of locomotion did not even though slower speeds were selected BR vs. FR.

In-shoe plantar pressure distribution and lower extremity muscle activity patterns of backward compared to forward running on a treadmill

ObjectiveBackward locomotion in humans occurs during leisure, rehabilitation, and competitive sports. Little is known about its general biomechanical characteristics and how it affects lower extremity loading as well as muscle coordination. Thus, the purpose of this research was to analyze in-shoe plantar pressure patterns and lower extremity muscle activity patterns for backward compared to forward running. MethodsOn a treadmill, nineteen runners performed forward running at their individually preferred speed, followed by backward running at 70% of their self-selected forward speed. In-shoe plantar pressures of nine foot regions and muscular activity of nine lower extremity muscles were recorded simultaneously over a one-minute interval. Backward and forward running variables were averaged over the accumulated steps and compared with Wilcoxon-signed rank tests (p<.05). ResultsFor backward compared to forward running, in-shoe plantar pressure distribution showed a load increase under metatarsal heads I and II, as well as under the medial midfoot. This was indicated by higher maximum forces and peak pressures, and by longer contact times. Muscle activity showed significantly higher mean amplitudes during backward running in the semitendinosus, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, and gluteus medius during stance, and in the rectus femoris during swing phase, while significantly lower mean amplitudes were observed in the tibialis anterior during swing phase. ConclusionObservations indicate plantar foot loading and muscle activity characteristics that are specific for the running direction. Thus, backward running may be used on purpose for certain rehabilitation tasks, aiming to strengthen respective lower extremity muscles. Furthermore, the findings are relevant for sport specific backward locomotion training. Finally, results provide an initial baseline for innovative athletic footwear development aiming to increase comfort and performance during backward running.

The Effects of Backwards Running Training on Forward Running Economy in Trained Males.

Backwards running (BR) results in greater cardiopulmonary response and muscle activity compared with forward running (FR). BR has traditionally been used in rehabilitation for disorders such as stroke and lower leg extremity injuries, as well as in short bursts during various athletic events. The aim of this study was to measure the effects of sustained backwards running training on forward running economy in trained male athletes. Eight highly trained, male runners (26.13 ± 6.11 years, 174.7 ± 6.4 cm, 68.4 ± 9.24 kg, 8.61 ± 3.21% body fat, 71.40 ± 7.31 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1)) trained with BR while harnessed on a treadmill at 161 m·min(-1) for 5 weeks following a 5-week BR run-in period at a lower speed (134 m·min(-1)). Subjects were tested at baseline, postfamiliarized, and post-BR training for body composition, a ramped VO2max test, and an economy test designed for trained male runners. Subjects improved forward running economy by 2.54% (1.19 ± 1.26 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1), p = 0.032) at 215 m·min(-1). VO2max, body mass, lean mass, fat mass, and % body fat did not change (p > 0.05). Five weeks of BR training improved FR economy in healthy, trained male runners without altering VO2max or body composition. The improvements observed in this study could be a beneficial form of training to an already economical population to improve running economy.

A Comparison of an Integrated Three-dimensional Biomechanical Analysis of High-speed Incline and Level Treadmill running in Elite Football Players

ABSTRACT Purpose Recent sprint training regimens have used high-speed incline treadmill running to provide enhanced loading of muscles responsible for increasing forward running speed. The purpose of this study was to determine the standard alterations in the lower-limb joint kinematics and gait parameters resulting from changes in treadmill slope during the use of the treadmill as a medical reference. Subjects The subjects of this study were 20 normal, healthy elite football players without any orthopedic, respiratory, or cardiovascular system problems. Materials and methods The running gait of subjects was analyzed using motion analysis system on an inclined treadmill with three running trials, each for 3 minutes. The gait was measured at incline of 0, 9, and 18%. The speed of the treadmill was fixed at 4.0 m/s in order to maintain a constant running speed. Results The subjects’ gait parameters were observed to change significantly between slopes of 0 and 18%. The results showed greater maximum knee flexion, ankle dorsiflexion, and total hip range of motion (ROM) in incline treadmill running compared to level running. Conclusion The results of this study can be put in as a predesigned rehabilitation program for sprint training on a treadmill, especially for treadmills with adjustable gradients. How to cite this article Singh A, Arvind DN, Sandhu JS. A Comparison of an Integrated Three-dimensional Biomechanical Analysis of High-speed Incline and Level Treadmill running in Elite Football Players. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2016;50(4):185-189.

Quantifying foot placement variability and dynamic stability of movement to assess control mechanisms during forward and lateral running

Research has indicated that human walking is more unstable in the secondary, rather than primary plane of progression. However, the mechanisms of controlling dynamic stability in different planes of progression during running remain unknown. The aim of this study was to compare variability (standard deviation and coefficient of variation) and dynamic stability (sample entropy and local divergence exponent) in anterior–posterior and medio-lateral directions in forward and lateral running patterns. For this purpose, fifteen healthy, male participants ran in a forward and lateral direction on a treadmill at their preferred running speeds. Coordinate data of passive reflective markers attached to body segments were recorded using a motion capture system. Results indicated that: (1) there is lower dynamic stability in the primary plane of progression during both forward and lateral running suggesting that, unlike walking, greater control might be required to regulate dynamic stability in the primary plane of progression during running, (2) as in walking, the control of stability in anterior–posterior and medio-lateral directions of running is dependent on the direction of progression, and (3), quantifying magnitude of variability might not be sufficient to understand control mechanisms in human movement and directly measuring dynamic stability could be an appropriate alternative.

A fast, hybrid, power-efficient high-precision solver for large linear systems based on low-precision hardware

In recent years, the amount of data produced has been exploding at a rate far greater than the increase in computing power of even large supercomputers. As a result, modern computer systems are unable to analyze all the available data – a situation that will become even worse in the foreseeable future. We follow an approach to data analytics where the computational complexity is fundamentally reduced by performing the majority of the computation in an approximated or even stochastic framework while the high precision solution is guaranteed by an iterative refinement process.This paper presents a parallel heterogeneous system implementing a mixed-precision iterative refinement solver for large linear systems, which is a building block for many other complex algorithms. In our solver, the backward step is implemented as a novel variant of the conjugate gradient (CG) method running on an FPGA using fixed point data types. The low precision of the backward step is compensated for by the forward step running in high precision on a GPU, which iteratively updates the current solution until a given working precision has been reached.We have implemented our CG solver using Altera's OpenCL SDK for FPGAs and use NVIDIA's CUBLAS library for the forward step on the GPU. Through the combination of GPU and FPGA we were able to achieve a speedup of 3.7× for large dense 24,064×24,064 matrices and require 3.5× less energy per solved right-hand side compared to a tuned multi-threaded CPU solver based on the ATLAS linear algebra library.

Polar features in the flagellar propulsion of E. coli bacteria.

E. coli bacteria swim following a run and tumble pattern. In the run state all flagella join in a single helical bundle that propels the cell body along approximately straight paths. When one or more flagellar motors reverse direction the bundle unwinds and the cell randomizes its orientation. This basic picture represents an idealization of a much more complex dynamical problem. Although it has been shown that bundle formation can occur at either pole of the cell, it is still unclear whether these two run states correspond to asymmetric propulsion features. Using holographic microscopy we record the 3D motions of individual bacteria swimming in optical traps. We find that most cells possess two run states characterized by different propulsion forces, total torque, and bundle conformations. We analyze the statistical properties of bundle reversal and compare the hydrodynamic features of forward and backward running states. Our method is naturally multi-particle and opens up the way towards controlled hydrodynamic studies of interacting swimming cells.

Right ventricular wave reflection relate to clinical measures in pulmonary arterial hypertension

Objectives. When a forward running pressure wave from the right ventricle reaches the narrow vessels in the pulmonary circulation, it is reflected as a backward running wave. We aimed to relate changes in right ventricular waveform reflection (RVWR) to changes in clinical variables in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients. Design. Twenty-one PAH patients with RV waveform recordings from two sequential catheterisations at least 6 months apart were included. Six-minute walked distance (6MWD) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level were also available. RVWR was defined as ‘the pressure from the inflection point on the upstroke RV pressure wave to RV peak pressure’. Direction of change in RVWR, 6MWD and BNP was classified as (+) if increased and (−) if decreased. Spearman correlations were used to analyse the relation between changes. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to analyse relation between RVWR and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). Results. The correlation between change in RVWR and 6MWD was − 0.67 (p < 0.01) and between RVWR and BNP was − 0.53 (p < 0.05). Actual RVWR and PVR correlated both at first (0.56, p < 0.001) and at second right heart catheterisation (0.45, p < 0.001). Conclusion. RVWR might have clinical implications indicating a change in clinical status and disease progression in patients with PAH.

Quantifying coordination and coordination variability in backward versus forward running: Implications for control of motion

The aims of this study were to compare coordination and coordination variability in backward and forward running and to investigate the effects of speed on coordination variability in both backward and forward running. Fifteen healthy male participants took part in this study to run forwards and backwards on a treadmill at 80%, 100% and 120% of their preferred running speeds. The coordinate data of passive reflective markers attached to body segments were recorded using motion capture systems. Coordination of shank-foot and thigh-shank couplings in sagittal plane was quantified using the continuous relative phase method. Coordination variability was calculated as the standard deviation of a coordination pattern over 50 strides. Cross-correlation coefficients and associated phase shifts were determined to quantify similarity in coordination patterns between forward and backward running. Our results demonstrated that the coordination pattern in a gait cycle of backward running was in reverse to that of forward running at all speeds implying that the same neural circuitry is responsible for regulating both forward and backward running gaits. In addition, results demonstrated that there was an average of approximately 11% phase shift between the coordination patterns of backward and forward running which indicates that a single underlying mechanism might be responsible for generating motor patterns in both forward and backward running. Finally, backward running had significantly higher magnitude of coordination variability compared to forward running, signifying that more degrees of freedom were involved in backward running. Speed however, did not affect coordination variability in either task.

Influence of Body Weight Support and Direction of Locomotion on Preferred Gait

Previously, no research has investigated differences in preferred gait characteristics during forwards and backwards running at varying body weight (BW) support. PURPOSE: To understand how BW support and direction of locomotion influence descriptors of preferred gait. METHODS: Subjects (n=8; 27.0±11.7 years, 173.8±3.5 cm, 74.0±8.7 kg) performed forward and backward running on a lower body positive pressure treadmill at different levels of BW support (i.e., 0%-80% body weight support). Subjects preferred running speed (PS), preferred stride frequency (PSF), and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured. PS, PSF, and RPE were analyzed using a 2(exercise mode: forward and backward locomotion) x 5(BW support: 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%) repeated measures analysis of variance (α= 0.05). RESULTS: PS, PSF, and RPE were not influenced by the interaction of exercise mode and BW support (p > 0.05). PS was different between modes (p < 0.001) and between BW support conditions (p < 0.01). For example, PS increased approximately 3.8%-8.5% and 3.0%-11.9% with decreasing BW support for forward and backward running, respectively. Additionally, PS during forward running was higher than that of backward running at reduced BW support (e.g., 3.4±.9 m/s and 2.5±.5 m/s for forward and backward running at 80% BW support, respectively). Furthermore, PSF (p< 0.001) and RPE (p< 0.01) were different between BW conditions but not different between direction of locomotion (p>0.05). Specifically, PSF (e.g., a decrease of 13.2% during forward running at 0% BW support vs. 80% BW support) and RPE (e.g., a decrease of 19.9% during forward running at 0% BW support vs. 80% BW support) during forward and backward running decreased with decreasing BW support. CONCLUSION: It seems that BW support may have more of an influence on preferred gait characteristics than direction of locomotion since PSF and RPE were not different between directions of locomotion.

The effect of ankle Kinesio taping on range of motion and agility during exercise in university students

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of ankle Kinesio taping on range of motion and agility during exercise in university students. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Thirty subjects were randomly allocated to two groups: taping group (n=15) and non-taping group (n=15). All groups underwent the same exercise program including stretching for 30 minutes. The exercise program proceeded in the following order: five minutes of stretching, a 20-minutes exercise program, and additional five minutes of stretching. Of the eight exercise methods suggested by Purcell et al, seven were chosen (lateral shuffle, forward and backward running, agility ladder, figure-of-8, forward jogging while jumping over cones, wall jumps and zigzags); 90o cuts with lateral shuffle were omitted. The range of motion of ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion was measured using the goniometer. Agility was measured using the side hop test. Results: For ankle range of motion, the taping group showed significant differences in dorsiflexion and plantarflexion on both sides (p<0.05). The non-taping group showed significant differences only in left plantarflexion (p<0.05). There was a significant difference in dorsiflexion on both sides between the taping group and the non-taping group (p<0.05). All groups showed significant differences in agility on the left and right ankle (p<0.05). There was a significant difference in left ankles between the taping group and the non-taping group (p<0.05). Conclusions: Kinesio taping increased range of motion and agility during exercise in university students. Additional research on Kinesio taping for improving range of motion and agility is needed.