The Effect of Locomotor-Respiratory Coupling on Running Economy at Sub-Lactate Threshold Running Speeds
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Date
2015-12
Authors
Deming, Eileen
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Locomotor-respiratory coupling (LRC), the phase-locking of gait and
respiratory cycles, has been heavily researched. Previous studies reported on the effects
of LRC ratios and their variability on various biomechanical and physiological
processes, but no study has explicitly examined the effect of increasing workload on
LRC. The purpose of the study was to develop a more precise testing protocol and to
document the relationship between average LRC ratio and LRC ratio variability on V02
and running economy at increasing workloads. Eight subjects completed a modified
lactate threshold test wherein the timing of their gait and respiratory cycles were
recorded as well as oxygen uptake. Results indicated a significant decrease in average
LRC ratio with increasing workload (p<0.001), with average LRC ratios appearing at
integer, half-integer, and non-integer values with increasing workload. There was no
significant difference between root mean square error in LRC ratio variabilities at
increasing workloads (p=O. 725). Findings indicate recreational runners do not favor
whole or half-integer LRC ratios, and instead LRC decreases with a linear trend with
increasing workload.
Description
31 pages. A thesis presented to the Department of Human Physiology and the Clark Honors College of the University of Oregon in partial fulfillment of the requirements for degree of Bachelor of Science, Winter 2015.
Keywords
Exercise physiology, Biomechanics, Locomotor-respiratory Coupling, Running economy, Voz, Sustainable