0000000000026302
AUTHOR
Angel Gabriel Lucas-cuevas
The effect of visual focus on spatio-temporal and kinematic parameters of treadmill running
The characteristics of a treadmill and the environment where it is based could influence the user’s gaze and have an effect on their running kinematics and lower limb impacts. The aim of this study was to identify the effect of visual focus on spatio-temporal parameters and lower limb kinematics during treadmill running. Twenty six experienced runners ran at 3.33 m s−1 on a treadmill under two visual conditions, either looking ahead at a wall or looking down at the treadmill visual display. Spatio-temporal parameters, impact accelerations of the head and tibia, and knee and ankle kinematics were measured for the final 15 s of a 90 s bout of running under each condition. At the end of the te…
Effects of treadmill running and fatigue on impact acceleration in distance running
The effects of treadmill running on impact acceleration were examined together with the interaction between running surface and runner's fatigue state. Twenty recreational runners (11 men and 9 women) ran overground and on a treadmill (at 4.0 m/s) before and after a fatigue protocol consisting of a 30-minute run at 85% of individual maximal aerobic speed. Impact accelerations were analysed using two lightweight capacitive uniaxial accelerometers. A two-way repeated-measure analysis of variance showed that, in the pre-fatigue condition, the treadmill running decreased head and tibial peak impact accelerations and impact rates (the rate of change of acceleration), but no significant differenc…
Effects of the exercise in the cerebral blood flow and metabolism: A review
In recent years it has been shown that cerebral blood flow is affected by intense exercise, what may even lead to a reduction in the cognitive capacity. This statement is contrary to the traditional belief that cerebral blood flood remains constant and unaltered even when exercise is performed. During physical exercise of moderate intensity, cerebral blood flow increases in the cerebral areas responsible for movement. Moreover, recent studies have observed that cerebral blood flow decreases during high-intensity exercise as a consequence of a local hyperventilation and vasoconstriction of the areas with lower cerebral activity. Traditionally, the glucose has been considered as the main and …
Preliminary study of the neuromuscular activation during barefoot and shod running
El objetivo del presente estudio preliminar fue comparar la actividad muscular de los músculos tibial anterior, peroneo lateral largo, gastrocnemio medial y gastrocnemio lateral entre la carrera con y sin calzado, y la influencia de la fatiga. 7 participantes realizaron una carrera de fatiga de 20 minutos al 75% de su velocidad aeróbica máxima en cinta con 1% de pendiente. Se midió la actividad mioeléctrica de los músculos antes mencionados tanto antes como después de la prueba de fatiga en dos condiciones: con calzado y sin calzado. Los resultados mostraron una mayor actividad del tibial anterior durante la carrera en fatiga descalzo respecto a la carrera calzado y una mayor actividad del …
Long-term effects of graduated compression stockings on cardiorespiratory performance
ABSTRACT: The use of graduated compression stockings (GCS) in sport has been increasing in the last years due to their potential positive effects for athletes. However, there is little evidence to support whether these types of garments actually improve cardiorespiratory performance. The aim of this study was to examine the cardiorespiratory responses of GCS during running after three weeks of regular use. Twenty recreational runners performed three tests on different days: test 1) ¿ a 5-min maximal effort run in order to determine the participants¿ maximal aerobic speed; and tests 2) and 3) ¿ a fatigue running test of 30 minutes at 80% of their maximal aerobic speed with either GCS or PLAC…
Influence of Scapular Position on the Core Musculature Activation in the Prone Plank Exercise
Cortell-Tormo, JM, García-Jaén, M, Chulvi-Medrano, I, Hernández-Sánchez, S, Lucas-Cuevas, ÁG, and Tortosa-Martínez, J. Influence of scapular position on the core musculature activation in the prone plank exercise. J Strength Cond Res 31(8): 2255-2262, 2017-Prone plank is a widely used exercise in core stability training. Research has shown that pelvic tilt plays an important role on the electromyographic (EMG) activation of core musculature. However, the influence of scapular position on EMG activation is currently unknown. Therefore, this study evaluated the influence of scapular position on the core muscles during a prone plank. Surface EMG of the rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (…
Initiating running barefoot: Effects on muscle activation and impact accelerations in habitually rearfoot shod runners
Runners tend to shift from a rearfoot to a forefoot strike pattern when running barefoot. However, it is unclear how the first attempts at running barefoot affect habitually rearfoot shod runners. Due to the inconsistency of their recently adopted barefoot technique, a number of new barefoot-related running injuries are emerging among novice barefoot runners. The aim of this study was therefore to analyse the influence of three running conditions (natural barefoot [BF], barefoot with a forced rearfoot strike [BRS], and shod [SH]) on muscle activity and impact accelerations in habitually rearfoot shod runners. Twenty-two participants ran at 60% of their maximal aerobic speed while foot strik…
Efectos de los soportes plantares sobre la termorregulación de las plantas de los pies durante la carrera
Accésit Congreso SIBB 2015 Existe una gran controversia acerca de si el uso de soportes plantares puede reducir el riesgo de padecer lesiones por sobreuso en corredores. Se ha observado una relación entre las cargas plantares y la temperatura superficial de los pies, por lo que el tipo de soporte plantar podría afectar a la temperatura de la planta del pie. El objetivo del estudio fue, analizar los efectos de los soportes plantares en la temperatura superficial, así como en la simetría térmica, de las plantas de los pies tras la carrera. 12 corredores entrenados realizaron 3 test de 30 minutos de carrera (10 de calentamiento y 20 de prueba al 80% de su Velocidad Aeróbica Máxima) con soporte…
Effect of custom-made and prefabricated foot orthoses on kinematic parameters during an intense prolonged run
Foot orthoses are one of the most used strategies by healthy runners in injury prevention and performance improvement. However, their effect on running kinematics throughout an intense prolonged run in this population is unknown. Moreover, there is some controversy regarding the use of custom-made versus prefabricated foot orthoses. This study analysed the effect of different foot orthoses (custom-made, prefabricated and a control condition) on spatio-temporal and angular (knee flexion and foot eversion) kinematic parameters and their behaviour during an intense prolonged run. Twenty-four recreational runners performed three similar tests that consisted of running 20 min on a treadmill at 8…
Effect of 3 Weeks Use of Compression Garments on Stride and Impact Shock during a Fatiguing Run
Excessive and prolonged exposure to impact acceleration during running is associated with increased injury rate. Acute use of compressive garments has been speculated to improve attenuation. However, it is unknown how longer interventions of compressive garments influence attenuation in running. 40 runners trained with compressive and placebo stockings for 3 weeks. Perception of comfort, stride parameters (rate, length) and impact acceleration (head and tibial peak acceleration, magnitude, acceleration rate and attenuation) were measured every 5 min during a fatigue run (30 min at 80% of the individual's maximal aerobic speed). Compressive stockings reduced tibial peak acceleration and magn…
The location of the tibial accelerometer does influence impact acceleration parameters during running
Tibial accelerations have been associated with a number of running injuries. However, studies attaching the tibial accelerometer on the proximal section are as numerous as those attaching the accelerometer on the distal section. This study aimed to investigate whether accelerometer location influences acceleration parameters commonly reported in running literature. To fulfil this purpose, 30 athletes ran at 2.22, 2.78 and 3.33 m · s–1 with three accelerometers attached with double-sided tape and tightened to the participants’ tolerance on the forehead, the proximal section of the tibia and the distal section of the tibia. Time-domain (peak acceleration, shock attenuation) and frequency-doma…
Relationship between foot eversion and thermographic foot skin temperature after running.
The main instruments to assess foot eversion have some limitations (especially for field applications), and therefore it is necessary to explore new methods. The objective was to determine the relationship between foot eversion and skin temperature asymmetry of the foot sole (difference between medial and lateral side), using infrared thermography. Twenty-two runners performed a running test lasting 30 min. Skin temperature of the feet soles was measured by infrared thermography before and after running. Foot eversion during running was measured by kinematic analysis. Immediately after running, weak negative correlations were observed between thermal symmetry of the rearfoot and eversion at…
Influence of foot orthosis customisation on perceived comfort during running
Although running is associated with many health benefits, it also exposes the body to greater risk of injury. Foot orthoses are an effective strategy to prevent such injuries. Comfort is an essential element in orthosis design since any discomfort alters the runner's biomechanics, compromising performance and increasing the risk of injury. The present study analyses the perceived comfort of three types of orthoses: custom-made, prefabricated and original running shoe insoles. Nine comfort variables for each insole were assessed in a sample of 40 runners. Custom-made and prefabricated insoles were both perceived as significantly more comfortable than the original insoles. The differences wer…
Plantar Pressure Differences Between Nordic Walking Techniques
Abstract High plantar pressure has been associated with increased risk of injury. The characteristics of each physical activity determine the load on the lower limbs. The influence of Nordic Walking (NW) technique on plantar pressure is still unknown. The aim of this study was to analyze the differences between plantar pressure during NW with the Diagonal technique (DT) versus Alpha technique (AT) and compare them with the pressure obtained during normal walking (W). The normality and sphericity of the plantar pressure data were checked before performing a two-way repeated measures ANOVA in order to find differences between speeds (preferred, fast) and the gait (NW, W) as within-subject fac…
Effect of custom-made and prefabricated insoles on plantar loading parameters during running with and without fatigue.
Controversy exists whether custom-made insoles are more effective in reducing plantar loading compared to prefabricated insoles. Forty recreational athletes ran using custom-made, prefabricated, and the original insoles of their running shoes, at rest and after a fatigue run. Contact time, stride rate, and plantar loading parameters were measured. Neither the insole conditions nor the fatigue state modified contact time and stride rate. Addressing prevention of running injuries, post-fatigue loading values are of great interest. Custom-made insoles reduced the post-fatigue loading under the hallux (92 vs. 130 kPa, P0.05), medial midfoot (70 vs. 105 kPa, P0.01), and lateral midfoot (62 vs 96…
Disinfection by-products effect on swimmers oxidative stress and respiratory damage.
Disinfection by-products (DBPs) are generated through the reaction of chlorine with organic and inorganic matter in indoor swimming pools. Different DBPs are present in indoor swimming pools. This study evaluated the effects of different chlorinated formations in oxidative stress and lung damage in 20 swimmers after 40 min of aerobic swimming in 3 indoor pools with different characteristics. Biological samples were collected to measure lung damage (serum-surfactant-associated proteins A and B), oxidative stress parameters (plasma protein carbonylation and malondialdehyde, and whole-blood glutathione oxidation), and swimming exertion values (blood lactate) before and after exercise. Free chl…
Assessment of a mattress with phase change materials using a thermal and perception test
Abstract Mattresses composed by phase change materials (PCMs) may improve the thermoregulation of the human body. The aim of the study was to analyse the thermoregulatory efficiency of a PCMs and a conventional mattresses via the evaluation of the skin temperature, thermal comfort and thermal perception. Twenty participants lay on a PCMs and a conventional mattress for 20 min in each mattress on the same day. Skin temperature of the back of the participants and temperature of the sheet of the mattresses were measured before and immediately after lying on each mattress. Thermal comfort and thermal perception were also reported during the last minute of the lying test. The PCMs mattress resul…
Effects of different backpack loads in acceleration transmission during recreational distance walking
It is well established nowadays the benefits that physical activity can have on the health of individuals. Walking is considered a fundamental method of movement and using a backpack is a common and economical manner of carrying load weight. Nevertheless, the shock wave produced by the impact forces when carrying a backpack can have detrimental effects on health status. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate differences in the accelerations placed on males and females whilst carrying different loads when walking. Twenty nine sports science students (16 males and 13 females) participated in the study under 3 different conditions: no weight, 10% and 20% body weight (BW) added in …
Influence of custom-made and prefabricated insoles before and after an intense run
[EN] Each time the foot contacts the ground during running there is a rapid deceleration that results in a shock wave that is transmitted from the foot to the head. The fatigue of the musculoskeletal system during running may decrease the ability of the body to absorb those shock waves and increase the risk of injury. Insoles are commonly prescribed to prevent injuries, and both custom-made and prefabricated insoles have been observed to reduce shock accelerations during running. However, no study to date has included a direct comparison of their behaviour measured over the same group of athletes, and therefore great controversy still exists regarding their effectiveness in reducing impact …
Effects of prefabricated and custom-made foot orthoses on skin temperature of the foot soles after running
OBJECTIVE Foot orthoses are increasingly used by runners despite the controversy about whether their use can reduce the risk of overuse injuries. Some authors have found modifications in plantar pressures with the use of foot orthoses, which could produce changes in the surface skin temperature of the foot soles. The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of custom-made and prefabricated foot orthoses on the skin temperature of different regions of both foot soles after running. APPROACH Twenty-four participants carried out a maximal aerobic speed test as a pre-test, and three running tests at the laboratory wearing different foot orthoses conditions (control, prefabricated and custom…
Definition of the thermographic regions of interest in cycling by using a factor analysis
Abstract Research in exercise physiology using infrared thermography has increased in the last years. However, the definition of the Regions of Interest (ROIs) varies strongly between studies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to use a factor analysis approach to define highly correlated groups of thermographic ROIs during a cycling test. Factor analyses were performed based on the moment of measurement and on the variation of skin temperatures as a result of the cycling exercise. 19 male participants cycled during 45 min at 50% of their individual peak power output with a cadence of 90 rpm. Infrared thermography was used to measure skin temperatures in sixteen ROIs of the trunk and lowe…
Effects of Kinesiotape® taping on plantar pressure and impact acceleration during walking
Summary Objectives The aim of this study was to analyse the plantar pressure pattern, contact time, stride rate and impact acceleration in the shank during walking with and without Kinesio Tape (KT®) placed on two muscle groups: peroneus and triceps surae. Methods Among the subjects, 29 (12 men, 17 women) participated in the study. KT® was placed on the triceps surae and peroneus and participants walked at two different speeds (V1: 0.73 m/s; V2: 1.30 m/s) with and without KT®. The pedobarographic system Biofoot IBV® 6.0 was used to analyse plantar pressure (mean peak pressure [kPa]) in 5 foot areas and the kinematic variables of the study (contact time [s]; stride rate [steps/second]). One …
Ankle muscle strength influence on muscle activation during dynamic and static ankle training modalities.
Muscle weakness is considered a risk factor for ankle injury. Balance training and barefoot running have been used in an attempt to strengthen the muscles crossing the ankle. It is expected that training tasks that successfully strengthen the ankle would elicit increased muscular activity. However, it is unknown how an individual's ankle strength will influence the muscle activity used during a given task. Twenty-six participants performed dynamic (shod, barefoot running) and static tasks (squat on ground, squat on ®Bosu Ball) believed to strengthen the muscles surrounding the ankle. Electromyographic signals of the tibialis anterior, peroneus longus, gastrocnemius lateralis (GL) and gastro…
Effect of bike-fit in the perception of comfort, fatigue and pain
The aim of this study was to assess the influence of different bike positions on the perception of fatigue, pain and comfort. Twenty cyclists underwent three tests that involved cycling for 45 min at their individual 50% peak aerobic power output while adopting different positions on the bike. Participants performed the cycling tests adopting three positions defined by two parameters (knee flexion angle [20°, 30°, 40°] and trunk flexion angle [35°, 45°, 55°]) in random order. Angles were measured using a 2D motion analysis system during cycling and applying Fonda's correction factor. Perceptions of comfort, fatigue and pain were reported before the end of each test. The combination of 40° k…
Soccer players' fitting perception of different upper boot materials.
[EN] The present study assessed the influence of upper boot materials on fitting perception. Twenty players tested three soccer boots only differing in the upper boot material (natural calf leather, natural kangaroo leather and synthetic leather). Players reported fitting perception and preference on specific foot areas using a perceived fitting scale. Ratings were averaged for every foot area. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze the differences between boots. The kangaroo leather boots were perceived tighter and closer to the preferred fitting in general fitting, metatarsals area and instep area. The synthetic leather boots were perceived as the loosest and as the most distant boot…
Can Graduated Compressive Stockings Reduce Muscle Activity During Running?
Purpose: Graduated compressive stockings (GCS) have been suggested to influence performance by reducing muscle oscillations and improving muscle function and efficiency. However, no study to date has analyzed the influence of GCS on muscle activity during running. The objective of the study was to analyze the influence of GCS on the perception of comfort and muscle activation of the main muscles of the lower leg during running. Method: Thirty-six participants ran on a treadmill with (GCS) or without (control) GCS. The running tests consisted of a 10-min warm-up followed by a 20-min intense run at 75% of the athlete’s maximal aerobic speed. Surface electromyography of the tibialis anterior, …
Effects of graduated compression stockings on skin temperature after running.
High skin temperatures reduce the thermal gradient between the core and the skin and they can lead to a reduction in performance and increased risk of injury. Graduated compression stockings have become popular among runners in the last years and their use may influence the athlete's thermoregulation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of graduated compression stockings on skin temperature during running in a moderate indoor environment. Forty-four runners performed two running tests lasting 30min (10min of warm-up and 20min at 75% of their maximal aerobic speed) with and without graduated compressive stockings. Skin temperature was measured in 12 regions of interest on th…