Methods of running gait analysis.

The continued increase in running popularity has led to a subsequent increase in the need to assess running gait more easily and affordably. Although traditional measurement devices such as motion capture systems, force plates, and electromyography are adequate methods of gait analysis, they suffer from several limitations, such as expense and lack of portability. Recent technological advances have made available more viable options such as accelerometers, electrogoniometers, gyroscopes, and in-shoe pressure sensors.

Training to maximize economy of motion in running gait.

Recent reviews of how training affects running performance have indicated, to varying degrees, that running economy (RE) is a determinant of running performance. However, the literature suggests that the relationship between training-induced changes in biomechanics and RE is still largely unknown. While there is some evidence that high intensity interval training, plyometrics, and altitude/hypoxia training can improve economy, it remains unclear how these improvements are mediated.

Muscle strain is modulated more with running slope than speed in wild turkey knee and hip extensors.

We examined the length changes and electromyographic (EMG) activity of two hindlimb muscles in wild turkeys, to determine how these muscles modulate mechanical function with changes in running speed and slope. The muscles studied were the iliotibialis lateralis pars postacetabularis (ILPO), a biarticular knee and hip extensor, and the femorotibialis lateralis (FT), a knee extensor. Muscle length changes were recorded using sonomicrometry, and EMG activity was recorded from indwelling bipolar electrodes as the animals walked and ran at a range of speeds (1-3.

Can albuterol help resistance exercise attenuate unloading-induced bone loss?

Hind-limb-suspended rats incur attenuated bone loss with beta(2)-agonists, and humans note similar changes with concurrent resistance exercise. To examine if the beta(2)-agonist albuterol helps resistance exercise reduce unloading-induced bone loss, human subjects performed 40 days of unilateral limb suspension with their left legs, otherwise refraining from normal ambulatory activity. While performing left leg strength training 3 days.