Citation

Brown GA, Rebok MP, Scott ML, Harris III J, Colaluca MK, Shaw BS, Shaw I. Afr. J. Phys. Health Edu. Recreat. Dance 2008; 14(3): 240-249.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Centre for Biokinetics, Recreation and Sport Science, University of Venda for Science and Technology, Publisher LAP Publications)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Even though the three-wheeled baby strollers that are widely used during jogging (JS) have been available for almost twenty years, limited information regarding the physiological and biomechanical effects of jogging with a stroller is available. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the impact of jogging / running with a stroller on oxygen consumption, heart rate (HR), step length and step frequency. Following testing for body composition and maximal oxygen consumption (VO₂max), eight experienced female runners completed two supervised, randomized, self-paced 2.4 kilometre (km) running trials while pushing (JS) or not pushing (CON) a stroller on a concrete sidewalk. The time to complete the 2.4 km run was not different between JS and CON (687 ± 30 versus 660 ± 18 seconds). Mean steady state HR (173.0 ± 5.0 versus 167.0 ± 5.1 beats / min) and oxygen consumption (VO₂) (40.1 ± 3.1 versus 36.1 ± 2.8 m l / kg / min) were higher (p < 0.05) in JS than CON, respectively. JS resulted in a greater (p < 0.05) number of steps taken (1969 ± 78 versus 1886 ± 74) and reduced (p < 0.05) step length (1.24 ± 0.06 versus 1.29 ± 0.06 metres) compared to CON. The use of a JS resulted in an approximate 4% increase in HR and an approximate 11% increase in VO₂, perhaps due to changes in the normal running stride pattern and the application of an external load from the jogging stroller.

Language: en