Mechanical Determinants of the U-Shaped Speed-Energy Cost of Running Relationship

• Main Authors: Apolline Carrard, Elisa Fontana, Davide Malatesta
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2018-12-01
• Series: Frontiers in Physiology
• Subjects: biomechanics; optimal speed; hypogravity; stretch-shortening cycle; elastic energy
• Online Access: https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fphys.2018.01790/full

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the energy cost of running (Cr) and speed and its mechanical determinants by comparing running in normal [100% body weight (BW)] and reduced (20% and 60% BW) gravity conditions at several speeds (2.25, 3.17, 4.08, and 5.00 m·s−1) in experienced runners.Methods: Twelve experienced runners (24.6 ± 5.4 year) ran on an AlterG treadmill in a partially randomized order at the four running speeds and at the three gravity conditions in order to assess Cr, spatiotemporal parameters, spring-mass characteristics and elastic energy (EL) during running.Results: For the three gravity conditions, the speed-Cr per kg of body mass relationship was curvilinear (significant speed effect: P < 0.001) and was significantly downward shifted with reduced gravity (100%>60%>20% BW; P < 0.001). EL, expressed in J·step−1, was significantly higher at 100% BW than at 60 and 20% BW and at 60% BW than at 20% BW (significant gravity effect: P < 0.001) with a significant increase in EL per step at faster speeds for the 3 gravity conditions (P < 0.001). EL, expressed in J·kg−1·m−1, was significantly downward shifted with gravity (100%>60%>20% BW; P < 0.001), with no significant speed effect (P = 0.39).Conclusions: Our findings showed that, for the three gravity conditions, the speed-Cr relationship was curvilinear, and the optimization of the stretch-shortening cycle and muscle activation in the muscle-tendon unit may be involved to explain these U-shaped relationships, especially at normal terrestrial gravitational conditions (100% BW). The U-shaped speed-Cr per kg of the body mass relationship was shifted downward in hypogravity conditions, which was characterized by decreased EL compared to 100% BW. These mechanisms may contribute to the less than proportional decrease in Cr per kg of body mass relative to gravity.