Date of Award
1-1-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D. in Health and Kinesiology
First Advisor
Thomas Andre
Second Advisor
Chip Wade
Third Advisor
Matthew Jessee
School
University of Mississippi
Relational Format
dissertation/thesis
Abstract
Running is one of the most popular forms of physical activity in the world providing many health benefits but also leads to an increase in overuse and tendinopathy injuries. Lower body positive pressure treadmills (LBPPT) reduce body-weight (BW) impact, benefiting individuals with musculoskeletal conditions or undergoing rehabilitation. Previous research indicates LBPPT could be a potential training alternative or reintroducing exercise sooner in rehabilitation process. The purpose of this study was to examine average impact force and accumulated impact force over the course of a 5-km run at 60% of VO2peak at various % BW to examine if there is a potential alternative to over-ground running. The other purpose was to examine asymmetries in jump parameters, running gait, and if that’s attributed to limb mass difference measures via DEXA scan. In total, 20 aerobically fit individuals completed a VO2peak and 5 counterbalance trials at 100% BW on a regular treadmill and 100%, 90%, 80% and 70% BW on a LBPPT. A linear mixed-effect model was used for all the insole data and repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests of within-subject’s effects was performed for each variable. The change in pre and post-measures for lactate, CMJ, and single leg CMJ were also analyzed using a paired sample t-test across each session and a repeated-measures ANOVA examining the change score across all body-weights. The results showed a significant difference in the time it took to run the 5-km as the BW decreased. Average impact force per step did not change but the accumulated impact over the course the 5-km did significantly decrease as BW decreased. The jump results revealed significant changes pre- to post-run with more significant changes occurring as BW decreased. The magnitude of change across the BW also changed for the bilateral CMJ and for the right single leg CMJ there were significant difference in the magnitude of change. Lastly there were no correlations among run, jump, lean mass or BMD asymmetries. In conclusion, the LBPPT treadmill provides a possible alternative to runners to maintain the same aerobic intensity while accumulating less force and stress on the lower-extremity over a set-distance.
Recommended Citation
Phillilps, Julia, "Investigating Changes in Gait, Impact Force and Fatigue While Running at Same Relative Intensity on A Lower Body Positive Pressure Treadmill" (2025). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 3356.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/3356