title: Metabolic cost of running is greater on a treadmill with a stiffer running platform.
abstract: Exercise testing on motorised treadmills provides valuable information about running performance and metabolism; however, the impact of treadmill type on these tests has not been investigated. This study compared the energy demand of running on two laboratory treadmills: an HP Cosmos (C) and a Quinton (Q) model, with the latter having a 4.5 times stiffer running platform. Twelve experienced runners ran identical bouts on these treadmills at a range of four submaximal velocities (reported data is for the velocity that approximated 75-81% VO2max). The stiffer treadmill elicited higher oxygen consumption (C: 46.7 ± 3.8; Q: 50.1 ± 4.3 ml·kg-1· min-1), energy expenditure (C: 16.0 ± 2.5; Q: 17.7 ± 2.9 kcal · min-1), carbohydrate oxidation (C: 9.6 ± 3.1; Q: 13.0 ± 3.9 kcal · min-1), heart rate (C: 155 ± 16; Q: 163 ± 16 beats · min-1) and rating of perceived exertion (C: 13.8 ± 1.2; Q: 14.7 ± 1.2), but lower fat oxidation (C: 6.4 ± 2.3; Q: 4.6 ± 2.5 kcal · min-1) (all analysis of variance treadmill comparisons P < 0.01). This study confirms that caution is required when comparing performance and metabolic results between different treadmills and suggests that treadmills will vary in their comparability to over-ground running depending on the running platform stiffness.
authors: a Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences , University of Cape Town , Cape Town , South Africa.
authors: James A H
authors: JAH
authors: Smith
authors: a Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences , University of Cape Town , Cape Town , South Africa.
authors: Alexander D
authors: AD
authors: McKerrow
authors: a Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences , University of Cape Town , Cape Town , South Africa.
authors: Tertius A
authors: TA
authors: Kohn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D010465:Perception; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D019876:Sports Equipment; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Treadmill stiffness; oxygen consumption; running economy