Effects of treadmill cushion and running speed on plantar force and metabolic energy consumption in running.

BACKGROUND

Repetitive loading with high impact forces are considered as a primary risk factor for overuse injuries. Cushion was proposed in running surface and shoe manufacturing to reduce impact forces and prevent injuries in running.

RESEARCH QUESTION

To investigate the effects of treadmill cushion and running speed on plantar force and metabolic energy consumption in treadmill running.

METHODS

Plantar force data and metabolic data were collected for 20 men during running at 8 km/h and 10 km/h on the treadmill with and without cushion. Two-way ANOVAs with repeated measures were performed to determine the treadmill effects and the speed effects.

RESULTS

Participants significantly decreased peak plantar force on the fore foot at both 10 km/h (P = 0.001) and 8 km/h (P = 0.001) and peak plantar force on the mid foot only at 10 km/h (P = 0.011) while running on the treadmill with cushion compared to the treadmill without cushion. The reduction of peak plantar force at 10 km/h was greater than that at 8 km/h while running on the treadmill with cushion. Participants significantly increased metabolic energy consumption while running on the treadmill with cushion compared to the treadmill without cushion (P = 0.007).

SIGNIFICANCE

Running on the treadmill with cushion significantly decreased plantar force on the fore foot and mid foot, and increased metabolic energy consumption. Running on the treadmill with cushion may be a useful method in the prevention of fore foot injuries and increasing exercise effects.