Energetic and neuromuscular impact of running on even or uneven surfaces in standardized laboratory conditions

IF 2 4区医学 Q3 NEUROSCIENCES

Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology Pub Date : 2025-02-06 DOI:10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.102987

Simone Bettega , Lorenzo Bortolan , Federico Stella , Cantor Tarperi , Federico Schena , Barbara Pellegrini , Chiara Zoppirolli

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Purpose

We examine the energetic and neuromuscular effects of running on even (E-T) and uneven terrains (UE-T) by creating smooth and rough conditions on a standardized circuit.

Methods

Ten adults (age 32.1 ± 7.6 years, body mass 62.2 ± 7 kg, height 167.5 ± 4.2 cm) ran on an ‘iterative-8-shaped’ path. For UE-T, solid hemispheres were fixed to a perforated mat, while for E-T, visible marks guided foot placement. Participants performed two 6-min trials on both terrains in a counterbalanced order, maintaining consistent running patterns and low-intensity speed with a metronome to guide step frequency. This ensured consistency in the timing and positioning of foot placement between the two conditions. Cardio-metabolic parameters were measured continuously, and muscle activation was recorded from six leg muscles using surface EMG.

Results

The analysis showed significantly higher cardio-metabolic responses in UE-T compared to E-T, with increases in oxygen cost (+18 %), energy cost (+23 %), respiratory frequency (+7%), ventilation (+19 %), heart rate (+10 %), and RPE (+50 %) (all p < 0.05). Electromyographic activation of the tibialis anterior (+22 %) and peroneus longus (+10 %) also increased in UE-T.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that running on uneven terrain demands more energy and greater activation of ankle stabilizers, as required in off-road and trail running.

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来源期刊

Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology 医学-康复医学

CiteScore

4.70

自引率

8.00%

发文量

审稿时长

74 days

期刊介绍： Journal of Electromyography & Kinesiology is the primary source for outstanding original articles on the study of human movement from muscle contraction via its motor units and sensory system to integrated motion through mechanical and electrical detection techniques. As the official publication of the International Society of Electrophysiology and Kinesiology, the journal is dedicated to publishing the best work in all areas of electromyography and kinesiology, including: control of movement, muscle fatigue, muscle and nerve properties, joint biomechanics and electrical stimulation. Applications in rehabilitation, sports & exercise, motion analysis, ergonomics, alternative & complimentary medicine, measures of human performance and technical articles on electromyographic signal processing are welcome.