title: Effect of forward and backward locomotion training on anaerobic performance and anthropometrical composition.
abstract: [Purpose] Forward walking (FW) and backward walking (BW) on a treadmill is a common tool for lower extremity rehabilitation in the clinical setting. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects on anaerobic performance and anthropometrical adaptations during FW and BW on a treadmill. [Subjects and Methods] A convenience sample of thirty healthy male subjects with a mean age of 20.93 ± 2.54 years participated in this study. Subjects were divided into 2 groups, a Forward Walking Group (FWG) (n=15) and a Backward Walking Group (BWG) (n=15), which performed FW and BW on a treadmill at 10° inclination, respectively. The training consisted of three sessions per week for 6 weeks. Study outcomes such as anaerobic performance and anthropometrical body composition were measured at pre- and post-intervention. [Results] Both FW and BW improved anaerobic performance significantly, and the BW group showed better performance than FW. However, changes in anthropometrical body composition were found to be not significant after six weeks of intervention in both the FW and BW groups. [Conclusions] BW training in rehabilitation can be considered more effective than FW at improving anaerobic performance. We also conclude that six weeks of FW and BW training is insufficient for eliciting changes in the body composition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Health Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Shaji John
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kachanathu
authors.affiliation: Salman Bin Abdulaziz University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Aqeel M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Alenazi
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic, King Saud University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Abdulrahman D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Algarni
authors.affiliation: Cairo University Hospital, Egypt.
authors.forename: Ashraf Ramadan
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Hafez
authors.affiliation: Jamia Hamdard University, India.
authors.forename: Unaise A
authors.initials: UA
authors.lastname: Hameed
authors.affiliation: Jamia Hamdard University, India.
authors.forename: Shibili
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nuhmani
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Health Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Ganeshwerarao
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Melam
keywords: Anaerobic; Backward walking; Body composition