Abstract des Autors

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of stride length variations on ratings on perceived exertion (RPEs) in experienced recreational runners. Twenty-eight male college students were randomly divided into equal-sized treatment and control groups. The treatment group performed five 15 min altered stride length runs, each separated by a minimum of 48 hr. The five trials involved running with a freely chosen stride length (FCSL) and a FCSL altered by +14, +7, -14, and -7. The control group was utilized to monitor changes in subjects RPEs as a result of practice effects developed through repeated bouts of treadmill running. Results revealed that the treatment groups local and general RPEs for the overstriding runs (+14, +7) were significantly greater (p<.01) than RPEs recorded during the FCSL run. Additionally, there was a marginally significant difference (p<.05) in local RPEs between the FCSL run and the extreme understriding run (-14). Analysis of variance on the control groups RPE data suggests that neither local nor general RPEs changed significantly in repeated FSCL runs across the six-week testing period. The results of this study suggest that experienced recreational runners perceive differences in exertion accompanying changes in stride length. Verf.-Referat