No description available.

INTRODUCTION: Tightness of the hip flexor muscle group may contribute to altered sagittal plane kinematics of the lumbo-pelvic-hip (LPH) complex during dynamic movements. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of a three-week home-based stretching program on passive hip extension (PHE), as well as on active hip extension (AHE), anterior pelvic tilt (APT), and lumbar spine extension (LSE) when running. METHODS: Twenty healthy subjects with limited PHE underwent a 3D gait analysis both prior (PRE) and following (POST) a three-week static hip flexor stretching program. RESULTS: Following the stretching program, peak PHE increased significantly (P < 0.001), while no significant improvements were reported in AHE, APT, or LSE. In addition, no relationship was found between the change in PHE with either the change in AHE, APT, or LSE. Finally, a high relationship was observed between AHE and APT during running (r = 0.83, p < 0.001), and low relationships were observed between APT and LSE (r = -0.41, p = 0.08) and AHE and LSE (r = -0.34, p = 0.15). CONCLUSION: A three-week static stretching program of the hip flexor musculature resulted in an increase in PHE, but the sagittal plane kinematics of the LPH complex during running remained unchanged. The correlations observed between AHE, APT, and LSE suggest there is a kinematic relationship between the hip, pelvis, and spine.

No description available.

No description available.

This study examined: 1) if estimated performance times (ETcom) at four different distances can be used to accurately define the parameters of the critical velocity (CV) test [CV and anaerobic running capacity (ARC)]; and 2) if those parameters can be used to predict time to completion (PTcom) of distances performed at velocities greater than CV. Twelve subjects provided an ETcom for maximal-effort runs at 400m, 800m, 1600m, and 3200m. The CV and ARC were derived from the total distance (TD) versus ETcom relationship. The equation: PTcom = ARC / (velocity-CV) was used to determine the PTcom for runs at 200m, 600m, and 1000m. The PTcom was validated against the actual time to complete (ATcom) runs at the same three distances. The TD versus ETcom relationship was highly linear and indicated a close relationship between running distance and time. The PTcom overestimated the ATcom at 200m, but was not different from ATcom at 600m and 1000m. The PTcom and ATcom were not related at any of the three distances. The CV model could be applied to estimated performance times to derive the CV and ARC parameters, but the parameters of the test did not accurately estimate performance times above CV.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of an eight-week weight training program upon leg strength and running speed of middle-school-age boys.

The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between treadmill time, maximal oxygen consumption and pace characteristics of the 1.5 and 3 mile runs and to compare the distances and pace characteristics as predictors of aerobic capacity. Subjects were 70 college aged males, ages 18 to 25, enrolled in jogging and conditioning classes at North Texas State University. Three tests were administered: the 1.5 mile run, the 3 mile run and the Bruce treadmill test. The data were analyzed using correlations and factor analysis. Conclusions of the investigation were (1) the 1.5 and 3 mile runs are valid measures of aerobic capacity, (2) the 3 mile run does not significantly increase the correlation between VO2max and endurance runs and (3) pacing characteristics are evident in the 1.5 and 3 mile runs.

Growing up, I never considered myself an athlete. I did not participate in sports or compete on a track, field or slope. However, as an adult, I have chosen to step outside my comfort zone, exploring challenges that push me physically and mentally to grow as a person. In this way, I found running. Running, for me, is not a mere mundane exercise routine, nor a competitive sport by which to be judged. Instead, running at my own pace has been a physical and emotional journey that eases my mind, nourishes my body and replenishes my spirit. Like an old friend, it is always there, year round, anywhere, anytime, to get me outside, pick me up when I feel blue, keep me company while I make new discoveries and introduce me to new friends. Moreover, my body benefits as my heart gets stronger, my bones denser, my risk for disease decreases, my stress disappears and I burn a ton of calories. Above all, the skills I develop from running, including confidence, perseverance, perspective, resiliency, connection to others, setting goals, the bliss of solitude, taking notice and living in the present, transfer to all areas of my life. In fact, my experience with running has helped me not only be a better person and enjoy life more, it has given me new tools to use professionally, as an academic advisor in higher education. It is my hope that my story, and the supporting research, will inspire others to explore running as an option for physical, emotional, social and, perhaps, spiritual presence in their lives. I share my story to all educators because the inclusion of exercise and mindfulness, for professional and student, can be a source of stress reduction, balance, cognitive focus and overall health. As a result of my own experiences with these activities, I think I understand their benefits and am able to impart the necessary encouragement to students to explore their options. In my opinion, the interesting relationship between writing and running, which I discovered and touched upon in this process, warrants further exploration.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Medicine in Applied Physiology. Johannesburg, 1997. / A post-exercise reduction in blood pressure (BP) may be the primary reason that athletes suffer from exerclse-assoclated collapse (EAC) at the end ot ultra-endurance running ever.s. Plasma volume decreases, possibly caused by dehydration, may be the cause of the decrease til blood pressure, In order to determine whether there is a correlation between plasma volume changes and the post-exercise BP drop, this study evaluated alterations in pre- and post-race blood pressures and changes in blood and plasma volumes, It found that compared to resting values, systolic, dlastollc and mean arterial blood pressures (mmHg) fell significantly from 119 ± 4, mean ± standard deviation, 74 ± 8, and 88 ± 5 respectively to '106 ± 14, 62 ± 12 and 77 ± 10 (ps 0,05), whereas pulse pressure failed to change, Compared to pre-race values, plasma and blood volume were found not to have changed significantly, During the race plasma urea (U) and creatinine (C) concentrations increased significantly, whereas body mass and body mass index both fell significantly. Haernatocrlt, haemoglobin, mean cell volume, red blood cell number, mean cell haemoglobin concentration, the mean cell haemoglobin, plasma sodium, potassium, chloride and protein concentrations, the U:C ratio and osmolality remained constant. There were no significClnt correlations between changes in plasma or blood volume and changes in blood pressure, These data support the Idea that a post-race decrease in blood pressure does not result primarily from an intravascular fluid loss, It is likely therefore that athletes who collapse at the end of ultraendurance races due to EAC do so as a result of 'post-exercise hypotension' secondary to venous pooling, and not as a result of a reduction in plasma volume, / MT2017

A Dissertation Submitted to the Department of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand,Johannesburg for the Degree of Master ot Science / Extensive disruption of muscle fibres has been shown to occur after short term eccentric exercise where high mechanical forces are generated. This study tested whether downhill running acts as a stimulus for inducing eccentric damage, and results in greater muscle damage and deterioration in muscular performance than an equal workload of uphill running. The study aimed at determining whether an adaptation or training effect takes place such that the muscle is more resistant to the damaging effects of a repeated bout of the same exercise. In. addition, the study aimed at determining whether the lower muscle volumes and forces of muscular contractions in females compared to males, makes females less susceptible to the damaging effects of eccentric contraction.(Abbreviation abstract) / Andrew Chakane 2019