Impact attenuation and variability during running in females: a lifespan investigation.
BACKGROUND
Impact is known to cause injury during running, while variability is thought to promote healthy performance.


OBJECTIVE
Quantify contributions of the lower extremity and back and the variability of impact generation among (1) prepubescent girls (Grp 1), (2) normally menstruating women (Grp 2), and (3) postmenopausal women (Grp 3) to address possible lifespan changes during running.


METHODS
A mixed model experiment.


METHODS
Biomechanics Laboratory.


METHODS
31 healthy females owing membership to Grp1, Grp 2, or Grp 3.


METHODS
Participants ran on a treadmill at their preferred speed (45 s) and at a speed 10% faster (45 s) while instrumented with uniaxial accelerometers.


METHODS
Lower extremity attenuation, back attenuation and variability of peak impact acceleration values.


RESULTS
Lower extremity attenuation and variability were greatest for Grp 1 while impact variability was least for Grp 2.


CONCLUSIONS
Lifespan phases appear to affect impact attenuation strategies and variability of impact during running for females.
Dufek
Janet S
JS
Sports Injury Research Center, Biomechanics laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA. jdufek@unlv.nevada.edu
Mercer
John A
JA
Teramoto
Kaori
K
Mangus
Brent C
BC
Freedman
Julia A
JA
D000054:Acceleration; D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001415:Back; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002648:Child; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008572:Menarche / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000502:physiology*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D013131:Spine / Q000502:physiology; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D055815:Young Adult