Relationship among Physiological, Perceptual, and Biomechanical Variables during Exercise on a Non-Motorized Treadmill In DII Cross-Country Athletes

SMSU Event Center BC

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between physiological, perceptual, and biomechanical variables during exercise on a non-motorized treadmill (NMT) in cross-country athletes. METHODS: Thirteen female cross-country Division II athletes participated in separate familiarization and testing sessions. On day one, participants performed a treadmill protocol that consisted of a 5-min warm-up walk, 5min walk, 5min run, and 5min cool-down on the NMT. Day two (testing day) consisted of performing the treadmill protocol with the previously determined velocities. Heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), oxygen uptake (VO2), vertical GRF (GRFv), horizontal GRF (GRFh), power, and velocity was recorded, averaged and used for analysis. RESULTS: There was a significant strong positive correlation in walking between in HR and velocity (r = 0.75; p = 0.003), GRFh (r = 0.73; p = 0.004), and power (r = 0.76; p = 0.002). There was a significant positive strong correlation in running between HR and velocity (r= 0.76; p= 0.002), power (r= 0.76; p= 0.002). There was a significant positive strong correlation in running between VO2 and running velocity (r= 0.71; p= 0.006), GRFh (r= 0.69; p= 0.008), and power (r= 0.72; p= 0.005). There was no significant (p > 0.05) correlation for all other variables in walking and running conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that VO2 has strong correlations with running velocity, force, and power, and that HR has strong correlations with running velocity and power. VO2 and HR are indicators of exertion in running conditions.