Title of Submission
Sex Impacts Leg Stiffness When Increasing Stride Length to Run with Body Borne Load
Degree Program
Kinesiology, MS
Major Advisor Name
Tyler Brown
Type of Submission
Scholarly Poster
Abstract
Military personnel routinely run at a fixed cadence with body borne load, which may increase leg stiffness and potential injury risk - particularly for females. Seventeen males and ten females had leg stiffness quantified when running with four loads (20, 25, 30, and 35 kg) and three stride lengths (preferred, and ±15% of preferred). Participants increased leg stiffness (P=0.006), and potentially injury risk when running with load. But, a sex dimorphism in stiffness was evident with changes in stride length. Males exhibited reduced leg stiffness with longer strides (P>0.05).
Funding Information
Battelle & Natick Soldier RD&E Center
COinS