Acute Effects of Cycling on Running Step Length and Step Frequency

2000 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
JINGER S. GOTTSCHALL ◽  
BRADLEY M. PALMER
Keyword(s):  
Step Length ◽  
Acute Effects ◽  
Step Frequency

scholarly journals Acute Effects on Impact Accelerations Running with Objects in the Hand

Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 550
Author(s):  
Roberto Sanchis-Sanchis ◽  
Alberto Encarnación-Martínez ◽  
Jose I. Priego-Quesada ◽  
Inmaculada Aparicio ◽  
Irene Jimenez-Perez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Stride Frequency ◽  
Acute Effects ◽  
Shock Attenuation ◽  
Acceleration Rate ◽  
Recreational Runners ◽  
Impact Acceleration ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Extra Weight

Amateur runners usually run carrying implements in their hands (keys, a mobile phone, or a bottle of water). However, there is a lack of literature about the effects of different handloads on impact accelerations. Thus, this study aimed to analyse the effects of carrying different objects in the hand on impact accelerations during running. Nineteen male recreational runners (age 24.3 ± 6.8 years, training volume of 25 ± 7.38 km/week) performed twenty minutes of running on a treadmill at 2.78 m/s with four different conditions: no extra weight, with keys, with a mobile phone, and with a bottle of water. Impact acceleration and spatio-temporal parameters were analysed through a wireless triaxial accelerometry system composed of three accelerometers: two placed in each tibia and one placed on the forehead. A higher tibia acceleration rate in the dominant leg was observed when participants ran holding both a mobile phone (p = 0.027; ES = 0.359) and a bottle of water (p = 0.027; ES = 0.359), compared to no extra weight. No changes were observed in peak acceleration, acceleration magnitude, and shock attenuation in any other conditions. Likewise, neither stride frequency nor step length was modified. Our results suggest that recreational runners should not worry about carrying objects in their hands, like a mobile phone or a bottle of water, in short races because their effect seems minimal.

scholarly journals Framework for Developing Bio-Inspired Morphologies for Walking Robots

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (19) ◽  
pp. 6986
Author(s):  
Peter Billeschou ◽  
Nienke N. Bijma ◽  
Leon B. Larsen ◽  
Stanislav N. Gorb ◽  
Jørgen C. Larsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Walking Speed ◽  
Dung Beetle ◽  
Object Manipulation ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Legged Robots ◽  
Walking Robots ◽  
Beetle Species ◽  
Step Frequency ◽  
Development Framework ◽  
Interdisciplinary Collaborations

Morphology is a defining trait of any walking entity, animal or robot, and is crucial in obtaining movement versatility, dexterity and durability. Collaborations between biologist and engineers create opportunities for implementing bio-inspired morphologies in walking robots. However, there is little guidance for such interdisciplinary collaborations and what tools to use. We propose a development framework for transferring animal morphologies to robots and substantiate it with a replication of the ability of the dung beetle species Scarabaeus galenus to use the same morphology for both locomotion and object manipulation. As such, we demonstrate the advantages of a bio-inspired dung beetle-like robot, ALPHA, and how its morphology outperforms a conventional hexapod by increasing the (1) step length by 50.0%, (2) forward and upward reach by 95.5%, and by lowering the (3) overall motor acceleration by 7.9%, and (4) step frequency by 21.1% at the same walking speed. Thereby, the bio-inspired robot has longer and fewer steps that lower fatigue-inducing impulses, a greater variety of step patterns, and can potentially better utilise its workspace to overcome obstacles. Hence, we demonstrate how the framework can be used to develop legged robots with bio-inspired morphologies that embody greater movement versatility, dexterity and durability.

Lower-Leg Compression, Running Mechanics, and Economy in Trained Distance Runners

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abigail S.L. Stickford ◽  
Robert F. Chapman ◽  
Jeanne D. Johnston ◽  
Joel M. Stager
Keyword(s):  
Step Length ◽  
Lower Leg ◽  
Running Economy ◽  
Treadmill Running ◽  
Individual Response ◽  
Distance Runners ◽  
Step Frequency ◽  
Time Step ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Running Mechanics

The efficacy of and mechanisms behind the widespread use of lower-leg compression as an ergogenic aid to improve running performance are unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine whether wearing graduated lower-leg compression sleeves during exercise evokes changes in running economy (RE), perhaps due to altered gait mechanics. Sixteen highly trained male distance runners completed 2 separate RE tests during a single laboratory session, including a randomized-treatment trial of graduated calf-compression sleeves (CS; 15–20 mm Hg) and a control trial (CON) without compression sleeves. RE was determined by measuring oxygen consumption at 3 constant submaximal speeds of 233, 268, and 300 m/min on a treadmill. Running mechanics were measured during the last 30 s of each 4-min stage of the RE test via wireless triaxial 10-g accelerometer devices attached to the top of each shoe. Ground-contact time, swing time, step frequency, and step length were determined from accelerometric output corresponding to foot-strike and toe-off events. Gait variability was calculated as the standard deviation of a given gait variable for an individual during the last 30 s of each stage. There were no differences in VO2 or kinematic variables between CON and CS trials at any of the speeds. Wearing lower-leg compression does not alter the energetics of running at submaximal speeds through changes in running mechanics or other means. However, it appears that the individual response to wearing lower-leg compression varies greatly and warrants further examination.

Kinematics Characteristic of Exoskeleton Walking Robot for Older People

2014 ◽  
Vol 644-650 ◽  
pp. 167-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Chen ◽  
Sheng Lin ◽  
Rong Hua Li ◽  
Lian Dong Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Video Camera ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Walking Robot ◽  
Step Frequency ◽  
High Speed Video ◽  
High Speed Video Camera ◽  
Gait Parameters ◽  
The Impact

The movement processes of the older people during walking on level ground were captured by the high-speed video camera with the speed of 500 frames per second. The gait parameters of the older people during walking on level ground were obtained by the quantitative analysis of the successive photographs captured by the high-speed video camera. Kinematics features of the older people during walking on level ground were discussed. Along with the growth of the age, step velocity, step frequency and step length were reduced, and gait cycle was rising. According to the morphology of the older people during walking on level ground, a mechanical model was put forward to aid the design of the exoskeleton walking robot. The couple walking characteristics between the older wearer and the exoskeleton walking robot was studied. In the single support phase of the exoskeleton walking robot, the change of the hip joint was gradually decreased to provide the driving force for the stable walk, the change of the knee joint was increased and following decreased and then increased to forward the older people's body center of gravity, and the change of the ankle joint was gradually increased to reduce the impact force of the ground. The results would provide the basic theory to bionic references for improving the reasonable properties of the exoskeleton walking robot. This work would provide certain theoretical and practical base in developing the exoskeleton walking robot on bionic structural design.

Differences in spatiotemporal parameters during 200-m sprint between bilateral and unilateral transfemoral amputees

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 567-570 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroaki Hobara ◽  
Sakiko Saito ◽  
Satoru Hashizume ◽  
Yuta Namiki ◽  
Yoshiyuki Kobayashi
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Relevance ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Classification Rules ◽  
Step Frequency ◽  
Average Speed ◽  
Race Time ◽  
Performance Differences ◽  
Spatiotemporal Parameters ◽  
Transfemoral Amputees

Background and aim: Although Paralympic T42 class Men’s 200 m sprints are currently competed by athletes with bilateral and unilateral transfemoral amputations, there may be performance differences between the groups. This study aimed to compare the spatiotemporal parameters of a 200-m sprint between bilateral and unilateral transfemoral amputees wearing running-specific prostheses. Technique: We analyzed 29 races (nine sprinters) with bilateral or unilateral transfemoral amputations from publicly available Internet broadcasts. For each sprinter’s race, the average speed, step frequency, and step length were calculated using the number of steps in conjunction with the official race time. Discussion: Average speed of bilateral transfemoral amputees was 5.7% greater than in unilateral transfemoral amputees. Bilateral transfemoral amputees exhibited lower step frequency (–8.9%) but longer step length (16.3%) than unilateral transfemoral amputees. Therefore, even in the same Paralympic classification (T42), different spatiotemporal strategies exist between bilateral and unilateral transfemoral amputees wearing running-specific prostheses during 200-m sprints. Clinical relevance Since different spatiotemporal strategies exist between bilateral and unilateral transfemoral amputees during 200-m sprints, our data supports recent revisions of classification rules (1st January, 2018), which each population was allocated into the different classification (T61 and T63, respectively).

scholarly journals Insect–computer hybrid legged robot with user-adjustable speed, step length and walking gait

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (116) ◽  
pp. 20160060 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feng Cao ◽  
Chao Zhang ◽  
Hao Yu Choo ◽  
Hirotaka Sato
Keyword(s):  
Walking Speed ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Legged Robot ◽  
Step Frequency ◽  
Locomotion Control ◽  
Insect Locomotion ◽  
Implanted Electrodes ◽  
Walking Gait ◽  
Leg Muscles ◽  
Adjustable Speed

We have constructed an insect–computer hybrid legged robot using a living beetle ( Mecynorrhina torquata ; Coleoptera). The protraction/retraction and levation/depression motions in both forelegs of the beetle were elicited by electrically stimulating eight corresponding leg muscles via eight pairs of implanted electrodes. To perform a defined walking gait (e.g. gallop), different muscles were individually stimulated in a predefined sequence using a microcontroller. Different walking gaits were performed by reordering the applied stimulation signals (i.e. applying different sequences). By varying the duration of the stimulation sequences, we successfully controlled the step frequency and hence the beetle's walking speed. To the best of our knowledge, this paper presents the first demonstration of living insect locomotion control with a user-adjustable walking gait, step length and walking speed.

Effects of Fatigue on Running Mechanics: Spring-Mass Behavior in Recreational Runners After 60 Seconds of Countermovement Jumps

2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 445-451 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriela Fischer ◽  
Jorge L.L. Storniolo ◽  
Leonardo A. Peyré-Tartaruga
Keyword(s):  
Center Of Mass ◽  
Force Plate ◽  
Vertical Displacement ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Vertical Force ◽  
Step Frequency ◽  
Mass Model ◽  
Vertical Stiffness ◽  
Recreational Runners ◽  
Running Mechanics

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of acute fatigue on spring-mass model (SMM) parameters among recreational runners at different speeds. Eleven participants (5 males and 6 females) performed running trials at slower, self-selected, and faster speeds on an indoor track before and after performing a fatigue protocol (60 s of countermovement jumps). Maximal vertical force (Fmax), impact peak force (Fpeak), loading rate (LR), contact time (Tc), aerial time (Ta), step frequency (SF), step length (SL), maximal vertical displacement of the center of mass (ΔZ), vertical stiffness (Kvert), and leg work (Wleg) were measured using a force plate integrated into the track. A significant reduction (–43.1 ± 8.6%; P < .05) in mechanical power during jumps indicated that the subjects became fatigued. The results showed that under fatigue conditions, the runners adjusted their running mechanics at slower (≈2.7 ms–1; ΔZ –12% and SF +3.9%; P < .05), self-selected (≈3.3 ms–1; SF +3%, SL –6.8%, Ta –16%, and Fmax –3.3%; P < .05), and faster (≈3.6 ms–1 SL –6.9%, Ta –14% and Fpeak –9.8%; P < .05) speeds without significantly altering Kvert (P > .05). During constant running, the previous 60 s of maximal vertical jumps induced mechanical adjustments in the spatiotemporal parameters without altering Kvert.

Assessing the Effect of Pedestrians’ Use of Cell Phones on Their Walking Behavior: A Study Based on Automated Video Analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 2672 (35) ◽  
pp. 46-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rushdi Alsaleh ◽  
Tarek Sayed ◽  
Mohamed H. Zaki
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Cell Phones ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Video Data ◽  
Health Science ◽  
Automated System ◽  
Step Frequency ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Walking Behavior ◽  
And Control

The objective of the study is to assess the effect of the use of cell phones while walking at urban crosswalks. The methodology uses recent findings in health science concerning the relationship between tempo-spatial characteristics of gait and the cognitive abilities of pedestrians. Gait measures are shown to be affected by the complexity of the task (e.g., talking and texting) performed during walking. This study focuses on the effect of distraction states, distraction types (visual such as texting/reading and auditory such as talking/listening), and pedestrian-vehicle interactions on the gait parameters of pedestrians at crosswalks. Experiments are performed on a video data set near a college campus in the city of Kamloops, British Columbia. The analysis relies on automated video-based data collection using a computer vision technique. The benefits of such an automated system include the ability to capture the natural movement of pedestrians and minimizing the risk of disturbing their behavior. Results show that pedestrians distracted by texting/reading (visually) or talking/listening (auditory) while walking tend to reduce and control their walking speed by adjusting their step length or step frequency, respectively. Pedestrians distracted by texting/reading (visually) have significantly lower step length and are less stable in walking. Distracted pedestrians involved in interactions with approaching vehicles tend to reduce and control their walking speeds by adjusting their step frequencies. This research can find applications in pedestrian facility design, modeling and calibrating pedestrian simulations, and pedestrian safety intervention programs and legislative actions.

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