Kinematic, Cardiopulmonary, and Metabolic Responses of Overweight Runners While Running at Self-Selected and Standardized Speeds

Objective: To determine the differences in kinematic, cardiopulmonary, and metabolic responses between overweight and healthy weight runners at a self-selected and standard running speed. Design: Comparative descriptive study. Setting: Tertiary care institution, university-affiliated research laboratory. Participants: Overweight runners (n = 21) were matched with runners of healthy weight (n = 42). Methods: Participants ran at self-selected and standardized speeds (13.6 km/h). Sagittal plane joint kinematics were captured simultaneously with cardiopulmonary and metabolic measures using a motion capture system and portable gas analyzer, respectively. Main Outcome Measurements: Spatiotemporal parameters (cadence, step width and length, center of gravity displacement, stance time) joint kinematics, oxygen cost, heart rate, ventilation and energy expenditure. Results: At the self-selected speed, overweight individuals ran slower (8.5 +/- 1.3 versus 10.0 +/- 1.6 km/h) and had slower cadence (163 versus 169 steps/min; P <.05). The sagittal plane range of motion (ROM) for flexion-extension at the ankle, knee, hip, and anterior pelvic tilt were all less in overweight runners compared to healthy weight runners (all P <.05). At self-selected speed and 13.6 km/h, energy expenditure was higher in the overweight runners compared to their healthy weight counterparts (P <.05). At 13.6 km/h, only the frontal hip and pelvis ROM were higher in the overweight versus the healthy weight runners (P <.05), and energy expenditure, net energy cost, and minute ventilation were higher in the overweight runners compared to the healthy weight runners (P <.05). Conclusion: At self-selected running speeds, the overweight runners demonstrated gait strategies (less joint ROM, less vertical displacement, and shorter step lengths) that resulted in cardiopulmonary and energetic responses similar to those of healthy weight individuals.