Human locomotor economy and efficiency are highly variable. This study investigated the role that stature plays in this variation, by evaluating metabolic and respiratory responses to walking and running at speeds set relative to one's stature. Four groups of subjects: male, high V0₂ max (n = 11); male, average V0₂ max (n = 10); female, high V0₂ max (n = 10); and female, average V0₂ max (n = 11) were habituated to treadmill locomotion prior to the measurement of maximal oxygen consumption (V0₂ max). The V0₂ max test entailed 1 km.h⁻¹ increases per min from 3 to 6 km.h⁻¹ walking, and 7 - 17 km.h⁻¹ running then 1% grade increments per min until exhaustion. On each of four other occasions, the subject walked or ran at 6 of a variety of relative speeds - walking at 0.5, 0.7, 0.9, 1.1, 1.3; running at 1.5, 1.7, 1.9 and for selected subjects 2.1, 2.3 and 2.5 statures.s⁻¹ ,and grades - 0%, +3%, -3%. Steady-state respiratory and metabolic responses, and treadmill speed were monitored by an on-line computer system developed for this study. Cadence and RPE were also monitored. All subjects demonstrated an exponential relationship between V0₂ and walking relative speed (st.s⁻¹) (RS) . V0₂ (ml.kg⁻¹.min⁻¹ ) = 4.747 * e(1.371*RS) During running this relationship was essentially linear . The variability of economy at relative speed (9.08%) and absolute speed (9. 01%) did not differ. Male and female subjects did not differ in response to absolute speed but females were more economical at relative speeds (p<0.05). Those with high and average aerobic capacity did not differ in locomotor economy at relative speed. Higher freely-chosen stride length was associated with a higher V0₂ response as velocity increased. The V0₂ of uphill walking was 1.4 times greater than that for downhill walking (running: 1.28 times) . Stride length decreased with increasing speed in uphill locomotion but the reverse was the case for downhill. The economy and efficiency of walking was greater than that of running. Walking economy was maximal between 0.7 and 0.9 st. s⁻¹. Running economy remained essentially unaffected by increased velocity. The setting of locomotor velocity relative to stature does not minimize inter-subject variability in metabolic and respiratory response .

This study investigated the effects of a South African Black youth jive on selected Biophysical, Physiological and Psycho-social parameters, using 31 Black youths, males and females (mean age 19.29 yrs) as subjects. All subjects participated in the pre- and post-programme testing protocols (acting as their own control) and in a 7-week jive programme. While the female subjects were significantly (p<0.05) heavier with a greater percentage body fat than their male counterparts, a two factor analysis of variance revealed no significant changes in body composition (p<0.05) of either sex group. However, significant improvements did occur in the cardio-respiratory . parameters of working and recovery heart rates, predicted V0₂ max, and the anaerobic capacity. Here, the males exhibited superior cardio-respiratory qualities and performed better in all motor fitness parameters except flexibility, where no significant sex difference occurred. Also, there were significant improvements in all motor fitness tests with the exception of power (as tested in the 18-Item Illinois test). No significant differences occurred between male and female psycho-social responses with no changes occurring after the 7- week programme. It can be concluded that involvement in the 7-week jive programme improved physiological parameters but failed to bring about alterations in the biophysical and psycho-social domains..

Background: Despite the introduction of running footwear in the 1970’s, running injury rates continue to be unacceptably high. The subsequent revival of barefoot running and the introduction of minimalist footwear occurred, in an attempt to reduce injury rates and increase performance. There is much contention in the literature around the effectiveness of these footwear conditions. Furthermore individual responses have recently been proposed to provide more accurate and reflective conclusions than the use of mean data. Objectives: Twofold: a) to compare the biomechanical, physiological and perceptual responses between the shod, minimalist and barefoot footwear conditions and b) to assess and compare individual responses under these footwear conditions. Methods: 26 well-trained, male, habitually shod endurance runners, aged between 18 - 30 years completed three experimental sessions on an indoor runway and motorized treadmill. Each session was completed in either the shod, minimalist or barefoot condition, running at 15km.h-1. Variables assessed included stride rate, stride length, impact peak, vertical impact and average loading rate and strike time (biomechanical); heart rate, oxygen consumption and electromyography (physiological); and rating of perceived exertion and body discomfort (perceptual). Results: Biomechanics – Stride rate and stride length showed a significant (p<0.001) increase and decrease respectively when running in the minimalist or barefoot conditions versus shod. Running barefoot versus the minimalist and shod conditions resulted in a significantly (p<0.001) greater vertical impact loading rate. Strike time was significantly (p=0.008) reduced running in the minimalist and barefoot conditions versus shod. Physiology – Running barefoot versus shod resulted in a significantly (p=0.02) reduced heart rate and Tibialis Anterior activity (p=0.005). There was a large variability in individual responses for many variables, with responders and non-responders seen. Conclusion: The study suggests that there are significant differences between all three forms of running for some variables. It was further noted that there is support for the proposal that individual responses are highly variable and should be analysed accordingly

In order to test the effect of artificially induced alkalosis and acidosis on the appearance of blood lactate and work production, six well-trained oarsmen (age= 23.8 ±2.5 wt = 82.0 ±7.5kg.) were tested on three separate occasions after ingestion of 0.3 gm/kg body wt. NH4C1 (acidosis) , NaHC03 (alkalosis) or a placebo (control). Blood was taken from a forearm vein immediately prior to exercise for determination of pH and bicarbonate (HC03). One hour following the ingestion period, subjects rowed on a stationary ergometer at a pre-determined sub-maximal rate for 4 minutes, then underwent an immediate transition to a maximal effort for 2 minutes. Blood samples from an indwelling catheter placed in the cephalic vein were taken at rest and every 30 seconds throughout the 6 minute exercise test, and every 3 minutes during a 30 minute passive recovery period. Pre-exercise blood values demonstrated significant differences (p<0.01) in pH and HC03 in all three conditions. Work outputs were unchanged in the submaximal test and in the maximal test (p>0.05), although a trend toward decreased production was evident in the acidotic condition. Analysis of exercise blood samples using ANOVA with repeated measures revealed that the linear increase in blood lactate concentration([BLA]) during control was significantly greater than acidosis (p<0.01), although [BLa] during alkalosis were consistently elevated above control there was no significant difference in the linear trend (p>0.05). During recovery, there was no significant difference in the rate of lactate disappearance amongst the three conditions. It was concluded that under this protocol artificial manipulation of the acid-base status of the blood does not significantly influence work production despite significantly reduced [BLa] during acidosis. The inability of these pH changes to alter exercise performance emphasizes the relative importance of the intracellular and the extracellular buffer systems in well trained athletes. / Education, Faculty of / Curriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department of / Graduate

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