A corrida de aventura (CA) é um esporte multiesportivo que vem adquirindo cada vez mais adeptos no mundo todo. A corrida é uma das etapas da prova de CA, e para tanto os atletas devem transportar mochilas de diferentes massas (kg) com os equipamentos obrigatórios. Entretanto, sabe-se pouco sobre os efeitos da carga transportada nos parâmetros cardiorrespiratórios e economia de corrida (Eco). O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar e analisar os efeitos do transporte de carga referentes a 0%, 7% e 15% da massa corporal (MC) em parâmetros cardiorrespiratórios: consumo máximo de oxigênio (VO2max), frequência cardíaca (FC) e limiares ventilatórios (LV’s), taxa de troca respiratória (RER), taxa de percepção de esforço (RPE) e Eco, em corredores de aventura. A amostra foi constituída por 12 atletas corredores de aventura que realizaram três testes máximos e submáximos de forma randomizada. Para todos os testes máximos de corrida os indivíduos realizaram aquecimento prévio de 5 minutos em velocidade constante de 6 km.h-1, com incremento de 1 km.h-1 a cada minuto até a exaustão para fins de registro das variáveis cardiorrespiratórias e da velocidade correspondente ao VO2máx, primeiro limiar ventilatório (LV1) e segundo limiar ventilatório (LV2).. Para se obter os valores da Eco foram realizados três testes submáximos na esteira rolante durante 6 minutos, com velocidade constante referente a 10% abaixo do LV2, a partir dos dados dos testes máximos, com cargas referente a 0, 7 e 15% da MC, e o intervalo entre cada teste era de aproximadamente 10 minutos. Para análise estatística foi utilizado o pacote SPSS versão 18.0 com aplicação do teste de ANOVA de medidas repetidas para as variáveis analisadas. Os resultados mostraram que não houve diferenças estatísticas na maioria das variáveis. No entanto, o teste ANOVA (F, efeito geral da carga) de vLV2, vVO2máx, LV1% e vLV1% apresentam diferenças estatísticas significativas, indicando que os atletas reduziram as velocidades em valores absolutos referente ao LV2 e VO2max e em percentual do LV1 e da velocidade do LV1. Desta forma, os achados desse estudo indicam que os parâmetros cardiorrespiratórios e Eco não foram afetados pelo transporte de carga. / Adventure running (AR) is a multi-sport which has more and more adepts worldwide. Running is one of the steps of the AR competition and the athletes must carry backpacks of different masses (kg) with the required equipment. However, little is known about the effects of the load carried on the cardiorespiratory parameters and running economy (Eco). The aim of this study was to identify and analyze the effects of load transportation with 0%, 7% and 15% of body mass (BM) on cardiorespiratory parameters: maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), heart rate (HR) and ventilatory thresholds (VT), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and Eco in adventure running athletes. The sample consisted of 12 athletes who performed three submaximal and maximal tests randomly. For all maximal running tests subjects had a warm up on the treadmill for 5 minutes at a constant speed of 6 km.h-1. For the test the speed increased by 1 km.h-1 every one minute and subjects ran until exhaustion to record the cardiorespiratory variables and the speed corresponding to VO2máx, first ventilatory threshold (VT1) and second ventilatory threshold (VT2). To obtain the values of Eco three submaximal tests on the treadmill were performed for six minutes with constant speed corresponding to 10% below the VT2, obtained from the maximum test with load transport corresponding to 0, 7 and 15% BM, and the interval between each test was approximately 10 minutes. For statistical analysis we used SPSS version 18.0 with application of ANOVA test of repeated measures for the variables analyzed. The results showed no statistical differences in most variables. However, the ANOVA (F, overall effect of the load) of sVT2, sVO2max, VT1% and sVT1% presented statistical significant differences, indicating that athletes reduced absolute running speeds for the VT2 and VO2max and percentage of VT1 and sVT1, so the findings of this study indicate that the Eco cardiorespiratory parameters were not affected by transportation load.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar o comportamento de 15 variáveis cinemáticas (tempo de passada, tempo de suporte, tempo de balanço, comprimento de passada, comprimento de passada relativo, freqüência de passada, ângulos do joelho e tornozelo no foot strike e no take-off, máxima flexão do tronco e máxima flexão do joelho na fase de suporte, amplitude angular do cotovelo durante a passada, máxima pronação da parte posterior do pé e amplitude vertical do centro de massa) e 8 variáveis neuromusculares (ativação elétrica muscular do reto femoral, vasto lateral, semitendinoso e bíceps femoral - porção curta – nas fases de suporte e balanço) da corrida, correlacionando-as com a economia de corrida (ECO). Dezesseis homens (idade: 27+1 anos; consumo máximo de oxigênio (VO2máx): 56,4+4,8 ml.kg-1.min), corredores fundistas com experiência em provas de 10.000 metros, realizaram um teste submáximo de corrida em esteira rolante na velocidade de 16 km.h-1 correspondente a uma intensidade média de 10,7% abaixo do limiar anaeróbio (LA) e a uma velocidade média de 11,1% abaixo da velocidade no LA. Foi utilizado um ergoespirômetro portátil para registro do consumo submáximo de oxigênio (VO2submáx) e para o registro das variáveis cinemáticas e neuromusculares da corrida, um sistema de captura de vídeo composto de duas filmadoras digitais de 120 Hz e um eletromiógrafo portátil de quatro canais com freqüência de amostragem de 2000 Hz por canal. O valor de ECO correspondeu à média do VO2submáx nos últimos dois minutos de teste, num total de seis minutos. A magnitude das variáveis cinemáticas e neuromusculares foram determinadas a partir da média de três ciclos de passada contabilizadas a partir da terceira passada do quarto minuto de teste. Foi feita a análise descritiva e aplicados os testes de Normalidade, Correlação Produto Momento de Pearson e Regressão Linear Múltipla. Verificaram-se relações diretas (+) e inversas (-) das variáveis cinemáticas (freqüência de passada (-28,3%), comprimento de passada (+23,0%), ângulo do joelho no foot strike (-12,7%), amplitude vertical do centro de massa (-7,2%), amplitude angular do cotovelo durante a passada (+5,6%), tempo de balanço (+3,2%), ângulo do tornozelo no foot strike (-0,6%) e comprimento de passada relativo (+0,4%)) com a ECO, totalizando 81%, e relações das variáveis neuromusculares (ativação elétrica muscular do semitendinoso na fase de suporte (+11,3%), do reto femoral (-4,3%) e do semitendinoso (+3,4%) na fase de balanço) com a ECO, totalizando 19%. Portanto, mudanças na técnica de corrida e na ativação elétrica muscular podem resultar em mudanças na ECO em corredores de 10.000 metros, que estejam se exercitando a uma intensidade próxima de 10% abaixo do LA. / The aim of the present study was to analyze the behavior of 15 kinematic variables (stride time, contact time, balance time, stride length, relative stride length, stride frequency, angles of the knee and ankle in foot strike and take-off, maximal flexion of the trunk and maximal flexion of the knee in the swing, angle excursion of the elbow, maximal pronation of the subtalar joint and vertical oscillation of the mass center) and 8 neuromuscular variables (electromyographic signal amplitude (EMG) of the vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, rectus femoris and semitendinosus muscles in the stance and swing) of distance running, correlating them with the running economy (ECO). Sixteen men (age: 27+1 years; maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max): 56,4+4,8 ml.kg-1.min), distance runners with experience in competitions of 10.000 meters, had carried through a test of the ECO (16 km.h-1) correspondent to an intensity mean of 10,7% below of the anaerobic threshold (LA) and 11,1% below of the velocity mean in the LA. Portable ergoespirometer for register of the submaximal oxygen uptake (VO2submáx) and for the register of the kinematic and neuromuscular variables of the distance runners was used one system of capture of the video with two high-speed camera (120 Hz) and an electromyography portable of four canals with 2000 Hz for canal. The value of ECO correspond the average of the VO2submax in last the two minutes of test, in a total of six minutes. The magnitude of the kinematic and neuromuscular variable passing had been determined from the average of three cycles of stride. The tests of “Normality”, “Pearson correlation” and “Multiple Linear Regression” were performed. Direct relations (+) and inverse (-) of the kinematic variables (stride frequency (-28,3%), stride length (+23,0%), angle of the knee in foot strike (-12,7%), vertical oscillation of the mass center (-7,2%), wrist excursion (+5,6%), balance time (+3,3%), angle of the ankle in foot strike (-0,6%) and relative stride length (0,4%)) with the ECO, totalizing 81%, and relations of the neuromuscular variables (EMG of the semitendinosus in the stance (+11,3%), of the rectus femoris (-4,3%) and of the semitendinosus (+3,4%) in the swing) had been verified with ECO, totalizing 19%. Therefore, changes in the technique and the EMG can result in changes in the ECO in distance runners with experience in competitions of 10.000 meters, in intensities next to 10% below of the LA.

Thesis (MTech (Tourism and Hospitality Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2007. / South Africa is a fast growing and developing sport tourism destination and has hosted various international sport tourism events. With specific reference to the 2006 Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon (OMTOM), which is considered one the most beautiful marathons in the world, this study focuses on different stakeholders' perceptions concerning the management and socio-economic impacts of sport tourism events. Questionnaire surveys for spectators (n=200), participants (n=200) and residents (n=400), as well as key informant interviews for established businesses (n=20), stallholders/exhibitors (n=20), sponsors (n=4), the event organiser (n=1) and the destination marketing organisation (n=1), were designed specifically for this study. Spatially-based random sampling for spectators and participants, was implemented, while purposive sampling for residents, stallholders/exhibitors, established businesses, sponsors, the event organiser and CTRU, were adopted to collect data. Volume counts were undertaken to estimate the number of spectators, while the number of participants was provided by the event organisers. The direct economic impact of the total of the event's contribution to the local economy was ascertained by utilising spending patterns of the spectators and participants. The contribution of the event to the local economy is estimated at R44.7 million, which is relatively significant. The event is diverse in terms of spectators and participants. The stakeholders were generally satisfied with the event organisation. Engendering community pride, utilising a sport tourism event as a regional showcase and providing economic opportunities for local businesses in terms of leveraging opportunities, were key benefits for local businesses and residents in close proximity to the race route. However, problems such as traffic congestion and insufficient parking were raised by all stakeholders and there is still room for improvement in this area as well as the management on the day of the event. The study reveals that there is a greater need to consider attendees' motivations, spending patterns, perceptions and altitudes, demographic profiles, the dire need for community involvement, as well as current and possible event leveraging opportunities for local businesses to enhance the management and positive impacts of sport tourism events. Furthermore, this study also provides holistic information to manage sport tourism events and to retain standard service quality, fulfil customer satisfaction and generate more economic, socio-cultural benefits for the tourist destination in a sustainable manner. Stakeholders can share information, which would improve relevant performance problems in the sport tourism event industry, moreover, effectively make management decisions and assess the socio-economic impacts of sport tourism events.

Graduation thesis focuses on warm ? up in a way of running drills, so called ABC running drills. It shortly presents dilemmas of physical load and preparation of human organism by warm ? up on physical load. It continues with zoom in running skills and advances on parts dedicated to concrete running excercises. Particular drills are captured on videorecording with audio commentary and it can be found in attachment. The ending is created by possibilities a suggestions for implementation of these drills in educational practice.

A corrida de aventura (CA) é um esporte multiesportivo que vem adquirindo cada vez mais adeptos no mundo todo. A corrida é uma das etapas da prova de CA, e para tanto os atletas devem transportar mochilas de diferentes massas (kg) com os equipamentos obrigatórios. Entretanto, sabe-se pouco sobre os efeitos da carga transportada nos parâmetros cardiorrespiratórios e economia de corrida (Eco). O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar e analisar os efeitos do transporte de carga referentes a 0%, 7% e 15% da massa corporal (MC) em parâmetros cardiorrespiratórios: consumo máximo de oxigênio (VO2max), frequência cardíaca (FC) e limiares ventilatórios (LV’s), taxa de troca respiratória (RER), taxa de percepção de esforço (RPE) e Eco, em corredores de aventura. A amostra foi constituída por 12 atletas corredores de aventura que realizaram três testes máximos e submáximos de forma randomizada. Para todos os testes máximos de corrida os indivíduos realizaram aquecimento prévio de 5 minutos em velocidade constante de 6 km.h-1, com incremento de 1 km.h-1 a cada minuto até a exaustão para fins de registro das variáveis cardiorrespiratórias e da velocidade correspondente ao VO2máx, primeiro limiar ventilatório (LV1) e segundo limiar ventilatório (LV2).. Para se obter os valores da Eco foram realizados três testes submáximos na esteira rolante durante 6 minutos, com velocidade constante referente a 10% abaixo do LV2, a partir dos dados dos testes máximos, com cargas referente a 0, 7 e 15% da MC, e o intervalo entre cada teste era de aproximadamente 10 minutos. Para análise estatística foi utilizado o pacote SPSS versão 18.0 com aplicação do teste de ANOVA de medidas repetidas para as variáveis analisadas. Os resultados mostraram que não houve diferenças estatísticas na maioria das variáveis. No entanto, o teste ANOVA (F, efeito geral da carga) de vLV2, vVO2máx, LV1% e vLV1% apresentam diferenças estatísticas significativas, indicando que os atletas reduziram as velocidades em valores absolutos referente ao LV2 e VO2max e em percentual do LV1 e da velocidade do LV1. Desta forma, os achados desse estudo indicam que os parâmetros cardiorrespiratórios e Eco não foram afetados pelo transporte de carga. / Adventure running (AR) is a multi-sport which has more and more adepts worldwide. Running is one of the steps of the AR competition and the athletes must carry backpacks of different masses (kg) with the required equipment. However, little is known about the effects of the load carried on the cardiorespiratory parameters and running economy (Eco). The aim of this study was to identify and analyze the effects of load transportation with 0%, 7% and 15% of body mass (BM) on cardiorespiratory parameters: maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), heart rate (HR) and ventilatory thresholds (VT), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and Eco in adventure running athletes. The sample consisted of 12 athletes who performed three submaximal and maximal tests randomly. For all maximal running tests subjects had a warm up on the treadmill for 5 minutes at a constant speed of 6 km.h-1. For the test the speed increased by 1 km.h-1 every one minute and subjects ran until exhaustion to record the cardiorespiratory variables and the speed corresponding to VO2máx, first ventilatory threshold (VT1) and second ventilatory threshold (VT2). To obtain the values of Eco three submaximal tests on the treadmill were performed for six minutes with constant speed corresponding to 10% below the VT2, obtained from the maximum test with load transport corresponding to 0, 7 and 15% BM, and the interval between each test was approximately 10 minutes. For statistical analysis we used SPSS version 18.0 with application of ANOVA test of repeated measures for the variables analyzed. The results showed no statistical differences in most variables. However, the ANOVA (F, overall effect of the load) of sVT2, sVO2max, VT1% and sVT1% presented statistical significant differences, indicating that athletes reduced absolute running speeds for the VT2 and VO2max and percentage of VT1 and sVT1, so the findings of this study indicate that the Eco cardiorespiratory parameters were not affected by transportation load.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar o comportamento de 15 variáveis cinemáticas (tempo de passada, tempo de suporte, tempo de balanço, comprimento de passada, comprimento de passada relativo, freqüência de passada, ângulos do joelho e tornozelo no foot strike e no take-off, máxima flexão do tronco e máxima flexão do joelho na fase de suporte, amplitude angular do cotovelo durante a passada, máxima pronação da parte posterior do pé e amplitude vertical do centro de massa) e 8 variáveis neuromusculares (ativação elétrica muscular do reto femoral, vasto lateral, semitendinoso e bíceps femoral - porção curta – nas fases de suporte e balanço) da corrida, correlacionando-as com a economia de corrida (ECO). Dezesseis homens (idade: 27+1 anos; consumo máximo de oxigênio (VO2máx): 56,4+4,8 ml.kg-1.min), corredores fundistas com experiência em provas de 10.000 metros, realizaram um teste submáximo de corrida em esteira rolante na velocidade de 16 km.h-1 correspondente a uma intensidade média de 10,7% abaixo do limiar anaeróbio (LA) e a uma velocidade média de 11,1% abaixo da velocidade no LA. Foi utilizado um ergoespirômetro portátil para registro do consumo submáximo de oxigênio (VO2submáx) e para o registro das variáveis cinemáticas e neuromusculares da corrida, um sistema de captura de vídeo composto de duas filmadoras digitais de 120 Hz e um eletromiógrafo portátil de quatro canais com freqüência de amostragem de 2000 Hz por canal. O valor de ECO correspondeu à média do VO2submáx nos últimos dois minutos de teste, num total de seis minutos. A magnitude das variáveis cinemáticas e neuromusculares foram determinadas a partir da média de três ciclos de passada contabilizadas a partir da terceira passada do quarto minuto de teste. Foi feita a análise descritiva e aplicados os testes de Normalidade, Correlação Produto Momento de Pearson e Regressão Linear Múltipla. Verificaram-se relações diretas (+) e inversas (-) das variáveis cinemáticas (freqüência de passada (-28,3%), comprimento de passada (+23,0%), ângulo do joelho no foot strike (-12,7%), amplitude vertical do centro de massa (-7,2%), amplitude angular do cotovelo durante a passada (+5,6%), tempo de balanço (+3,2%), ângulo do tornozelo no foot strike (-0,6%) e comprimento de passada relativo (+0,4%)) com a ECO, totalizando 81%, e relações das variáveis neuromusculares (ativação elétrica muscular do semitendinoso na fase de suporte (+11,3%), do reto femoral (-4,3%) e do semitendinoso (+3,4%) na fase de balanço) com a ECO, totalizando 19%. Portanto, mudanças na técnica de corrida e na ativação elétrica muscular podem resultar em mudanças na ECO em corredores de 10.000 metros, que estejam se exercitando a uma intensidade próxima de 10% abaixo do LA. / The aim of the present study was to analyze the behavior of 15 kinematic variables (stride time, contact time, balance time, stride length, relative stride length, stride frequency, angles of the knee and ankle in foot strike and take-off, maximal flexion of the trunk and maximal flexion of the knee in the swing, angle excursion of the elbow, maximal pronation of the subtalar joint and vertical oscillation of the mass center) and 8 neuromuscular variables (electromyographic signal amplitude (EMG) of the vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, rectus femoris and semitendinosus muscles in the stance and swing) of distance running, correlating them with the running economy (ECO). Sixteen men (age: 27+1 years; maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max): 56,4+4,8 ml.kg-1.min), distance runners with experience in competitions of 10.000 meters, had carried through a test of the ECO (16 km.h-1) correspondent to an intensity mean of 10,7% below of the anaerobic threshold (LA) and 11,1% below of the velocity mean in the LA. Portable ergoespirometer for register of the submaximal oxygen uptake (VO2submáx) and for the register of the kinematic and neuromuscular variables of the distance runners was used one system of capture of the video with two high-speed camera (120 Hz) and an electromyography portable of four canals with 2000 Hz for canal. The value of ECO correspond the average of the VO2submax in last the two minutes of test, in a total of six minutes. The magnitude of the kinematic and neuromuscular variable passing had been determined from the average of three cycles of stride. The tests of “Normality”, “Pearson correlation” and “Multiple Linear Regression” were performed. Direct relations (+) and inverse (-) of the kinematic variables (stride frequency (-28,3%), stride length (+23,0%), angle of the knee in foot strike (-12,7%), vertical oscillation of the mass center (-7,2%), wrist excursion (+5,6%), balance time (+3,3%), angle of the ankle in foot strike (-0,6%) and relative stride length (0,4%)) with the ECO, totalizing 81%, and relations of the neuromuscular variables (EMG of the semitendinosus in the stance (+11,3%), of the rectus femoris (-4,3%) and of the semitendinosus (+3,4%) in the swing) had been verified with ECO, totalizing 19%. Therefore, changes in the technique and the EMG can result in changes in the ECO in distance runners with experience in competitions of 10.000 meters, in intensities next to 10% below of the LA.

A corrida de aventura (CA) é um esporte multiesportivo que vem adquirindo cada vez mais adeptos no mundo todo. A corrida é uma das etapas da prova de CA, e para tanto os atletas devem transportar mochilas de diferentes massas (kg) com os equipamentos obrigatórios. Entretanto, sabe-se pouco sobre os efeitos da carga transportada nos parâmetros cardiorrespiratórios e economia de corrida (Eco). O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar e analisar os efeitos do transporte de carga referentes a 0%, 7% e 15% da massa corporal (MC) em parâmetros cardiorrespiratórios: consumo máximo de oxigênio (VO2max), frequência cardíaca (FC) e limiares ventilatórios (LV’s), taxa de troca respiratória (RER), taxa de percepção de esforço (RPE) e Eco, em corredores de aventura. A amostra foi constituída por 12 atletas corredores de aventura que realizaram três testes máximos e submáximos de forma randomizada. Para todos os testes máximos de corrida os indivíduos realizaram aquecimento prévio de 5 minutos em velocidade constante de 6 km.h-1, com incremento de 1 km.h-1 a cada minuto até a exaustão para fins de registro das variáveis cardiorrespiratórias e da velocidade correspondente ao VO2máx, primeiro limiar ventilatório (LV1) e segundo limiar ventilatório (LV2).. Para se obter os valores da Eco foram realizados três testes submáximos na esteira rolante durante 6 minutos, com velocidade constante referente a 10% abaixo do LV2, a partir dos dados dos testes máximos, com cargas referente a 0, 7 e 15% da MC, e o intervalo entre cada teste era de aproximadamente 10 minutos. Para análise estatística foi utilizado o pacote SPSS versão 18.0 com aplicação do teste de ANOVA de medidas repetidas para as variáveis analisadas. Os resultados mostraram que não houve diferenças estatísticas na maioria das variáveis. No entanto, o teste ANOVA (F, efeito geral da carga) de vLV2, vVO2máx, LV1% e vLV1% apresentam diferenças estatísticas significativas, indicando que os atletas reduziram as velocidades em valores absolutos referente ao LV2 e VO2max e em percentual do LV1 e da velocidade do LV1. Desta forma, os achados desse estudo indicam que os parâmetros cardiorrespiratórios e Eco não foram afetados pelo transporte de carga. / Adventure running (AR) is a multi-sport which has more and more adepts worldwide. Running is one of the steps of the AR competition and the athletes must carry backpacks of different masses (kg) with the required equipment. However, little is known about the effects of the load carried on the cardiorespiratory parameters and running economy (Eco). The aim of this study was to identify and analyze the effects of load transportation with 0%, 7% and 15% of body mass (BM) on cardiorespiratory parameters: maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), heart rate (HR) and ventilatory thresholds (VT), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and Eco in adventure running athletes. The sample consisted of 12 athletes who performed three submaximal and maximal tests randomly. For all maximal running tests subjects had a warm up on the treadmill for 5 minutes at a constant speed of 6 km.h-1. For the test the speed increased by 1 km.h-1 every one minute and subjects ran until exhaustion to record the cardiorespiratory variables and the speed corresponding to VO2máx, first ventilatory threshold (VT1) and second ventilatory threshold (VT2). To obtain the values of Eco three submaximal tests on the treadmill were performed for six minutes with constant speed corresponding to 10% below the VT2, obtained from the maximum test with load transport corresponding to 0, 7 and 15% BM, and the interval between each test was approximately 10 minutes. For statistical analysis we used SPSS version 18.0 with application of ANOVA test of repeated measures for the variables analyzed. The results showed no statistical differences in most variables. However, the ANOVA (F, overall effect of the load) of sVT2, sVO2max, VT1% and sVT1% presented statistical significant differences, indicating that athletes reduced absolute running speeds for the VT2 and VO2max and percentage of VT1 and sVT1, so the findings of this study indicate that the Eco cardiorespiratory parameters were not affected by transportation load.

Background: Running has many health benefits and has therefore become a sport with an expanded popularity worldwide. With it comes an increased incidence of overuse injuries, and there is a constant debate whether the shoes a runner uses should be as supportive as possible or minimalistic in order to facilitate a more natural running pattern. Many running retail outlets use video analysis to find out whether the runner has excessive rearfoot eversion (if they overpronate) or not and prescribe running shoes accordingly. Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of an exercise program on pronation/rearfoot eversion in female recreational runners and compare the results to running with a shoe with support under the midsole, a stability shoe. Method: Eight participants were recruited, and they were all recreational female endurance runners. On test day 1 a maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the ankle invertors was recorded. After that, the rearfoot inversion/ eversion angle was measured whilst running on a treadmill both in neutral and in stability shoes. The participants were divided in two groups using the every other method, and the intervention group (5 participants) went home with an exercise program to carry out over 6-8 weeks, and the control group (3 participants) did not. On test day 2 the same procedure followed. Due to the small sample size the current study is categorised as a pilot study. Results: There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in maximum voluntary isometric contraction between the two test days, in both groups, and also no significant difference (p>0.05) in rearfoot eversion in either of the groups and not when comparing the different types of shoes. Looking at individual results in the study group however there is an indication that rearfoot eversion decreased for more participants than did not, and it would therefore be of interest to look at this topic on a larger group. Conclusion: The results showed no significant difference in rearfoot eversion/ inversion after exercise therapy, however after analysing individual results it would be of interest to see this pilot study on a larger group. / Bakgrund: Löpning har många hälsofördelar och har därför blivit en sport med ökad popularitet över hela världen. Med det kommer en ökad förekomst av skador och det finns en ständig debatt om de skor som en löpare använder ska vara så uppbyggda som möjligt eller mer minimalistiska för att främja ett mer naturligt löpsteg. Många löparbutiker använder videoanalys för att ta reda på om löparen har en överdriven eversion i subtalarleden (om de hyperpronerar) eller inte och rekommenderar löparskor i enlighet med detta. Syfte: Syftet med den aktuella studien var att utreda effekten av ett träningsprogram på pronation/subtalar eversion hos kvinnliga distanslöpare, och att jämföra resultatet med en löparsko med extra stöd under fotvalvet. Metod: Åtta deltagare rekryterades till studien, och de var alla kvinnliga motionslöpare. På testdag 1 registrerades en maximal isometrisk kontraktion av fotledens invertorer. Därefter mättes vinkeln av inversion/eversion under löpning på en löpband både i neutrala och i stabilitetsskor. Deltagarna delades in i två grupper med hjälp av varannan-metoden och interventionsgruppen (5 deltagare) gick hem med ett träningsprogram att utföra över 6-8 veckor, och kontrollgruppen (3 deltagare) gjorde inget. På testdag 2 följde samma procedur. På grund av den lilla gruppstorleken kategoriseras den aktuella studien som en pilotstudie. Resultat: Det var ingen signifikant skillnad (p> 0.05) av på den maximala isometriska kontraktionen mellan de två testdagarna, i någon av grupperna, och ingen signifikant skillnad (p> 0.05) av inversion/eversion i någon av grupperna och inte heller när man jämförde de olika typerna av skor. Om man tittar på individuella resultat i studiegruppen finns det dock en indikation på att nivån av eversion minskade för fler deltagare än inte, och det skulle därför vara intressant att titta på detta ämnet i en större grupp. Konklusion: Resultaten visade inte någon signifikant skillnad i eversion/inversion i subtalarleden efter träningsterapi, men efter analysering av individuella resultat skulle det vara intressant att se denna pilotstudie i större grupp.

Running is known to provide important health benefits. However, the incidence of injury among runners is high, particularly among novice runners, which discourages long term participation in the sport. The knee is the most commonly injured joint in novice runners. In general, aberrant frontal and transverse plane kinematics are associated with the development of knee injuries in runners. It was unknown whether the high rate of knee injury in novice runners was due to abnormal kinematics. Further, it was unclear whether these risk factors for injury could be improved. This dissertation includes four studies investigating kinematics in novice runners, how they change with training and evaluation of a running assessment. The first study compared frontal and transverse plane kinematics of female novice and experienced runners. Novice runners displayed more knee kinematics associated with injury than experienced runners, which may contribute to their higher risk of injury. The second study investigated the effects of two different training programs on kinematics of novice runners: one program consisted of 8 weeks of walking followed by 8 weeks of running, the other consisted of 8 weeks of strength/plyometric training followed by 8 weeks of running. Results demonstrated that training produced small changes in kinematics, however all types of training produced a mix of beneficial and detrimental effects. Participants who completed the study displayed better knee kinematics 8 than those who dropped out, which may have influenced their ability to complete the program. The third study sought to investigate changes in coordination of the hip and ankle joints, and their contributions to knee joint angles thought to contribute to injury. Results demonstrated that both the hip and the ankle may influence changes in knee kinematics, however the relative motion of the hip and the ankle appears to remain stable with training. In the final study, we investigated the reliability and validity of the Running Readiness Scale (RRS), as a low cost assessment of kinematics related to injury in runners. The RRS demonstrated good inter and intra rater reliability. Further, the RRS appeared to effectively discriminate between runners according to knee abduction, but not knee internal rotation.

Trail running is thriving as a niche sport and lucrative sport tourism concept around the world. Whether it is for personal conquer, the experience of pure nature or just to stay healthy it is growing as a sport. The purpose of this exploratory study is to give an insight to the essence of trail running and what regulates the sport in Sweden. It also aims to investigate the impact of sport tourism and analyze trail race organizers perception of trail running as a potential lucrative business in Swedish mountain areas.     Data was collected and interviews were held with six different trail race organizers. This study gives an insight to the sport trail running itself, what rules regulate it, the impact of sport tourism on local tourism and investigate trail running event organizers  perception of trail running as a potentially successful niche of sport tourism in Swedish mountain areas.    This study show that trail running is an autonomous sport practiced in diverse terrain with not more than 20% hardened surface. The sport is regulated by ITRA and as a niche sport it can benefit both tourism and society. The interviews performed indicate that most of the organizers believe in trail running as a potentially successful niche of sport tourism when the right conditions are in place. Tough there are several indications why this could be difficult in certain areas in northern Sweden. This study is valuable for the development of niche sport tourism, like trail running, in Swedish mountain areas.