Degree Name

PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)

Program

Sport Physiology and Performance

Date of Award

8-2020

Committee Chair or Co-Chairs

Kimitake Sato

Committee Members

Michael Ramsey, G. Monique Mokha, Michael H. Stone

Abstract

Biomechanical and physiological parameters related to running performance are usually studied separately. However, evaluating both aspects together could be beneficial in improving athletic performance. The purpose of this study was to observe the change in peak vGRF and asymmetry as speed increases, while observing physiological responses during a O2maxtest. Data from athlete monitoring of 12 cross-country and triathlon athletes were analyzed. The athlete monitoring protocol included three unweighted countermovement jumps and a O2maxtest performed by the athletes. The athletes had an average O2maxof 53.4 ± 7.7 mL/kg/min, while their average vGRF asymmetry throughout the O2maxtestwas 1.38 ± 0.68%. A strong, positive correlation was found between average vGRF and average blood lactate (r=0.93), indicating that as vGRF increased so did blood lactate. It was concluded that physiological and biomechanical parameters are related in athletic performance. Therefore, athlete monitoring should include analysis of both physiological and biomechanical parameters in order to form a more well-rounded analysis of athlete performance.

Document Type

Dissertation - unrestricted

Copyright

Copyright by the authors.

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