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University of Kentucky UKnowledge Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion Kinesiology and Health Promotion 2015 Biomechanical Analysis of Race Walking Compared to Normal Walking and Running Gait Jaclyn D. Norberg University of Kentucky, [email protected] Right click to open a feedback form in a new tab to let us know how this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Norberg, Jaclyn D., "Biomechanical Analysis of Race Walking Compared to Normal Walking and Running Gait" (2015). Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion. 20. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/khp_etds/20 This Doctoral Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Kinesiology and Health Promotion at UKnowledge. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion by an authorized administrator of UKnowledge. For more information, please contact [email protected]. STUDENT AGREEMENT: I represent that my thesis or dissertation and abstract are my original work. Proper attribution has been given to all outside sources. I understand that I am solely responsible for obtaining any needed copyright permissions. I have obtained needed written permission statement(s) from the owner(s) of each third-party copyrighted matter to be included in my work, allowing electronic distribution (if such use is not permitted by the fair use doctrine) which will be submitted to UKnowledge as Additional File. I hereby grant to The University of Kentucky and its agents the irrevocable, non-exclusive, and royalty-free license to archive and make accessible my work in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I agree that the document mentioned above may be made available immediately for worldwide access unless an embargo applies. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of my work. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of my work. I understand that I am free to register the copyright to my work. REVIEW, APPROVAL AND ACCEPTANCE The document mentioned above has been reviewed and accepted by the student’s advisor, on behalf of the advisory committee, and by the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), on behalf of the program; we verify that this is the final, approved version of the student’s thesis including all changes required by the advisory committee. The undersigned agree to abide by the statements above. Jaclyn D. Norberg, Student Dr. Robert Shapiro, Major Professor Dr. Heather Erwin, Director of Graduate Studies BIOMECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF RACE WALKING COMPARED TO NORMAL WALKING AND RUNNING GAIT _________________________________ DISSERTATION _________________________________ A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Exercise Science in the College of Education at the University of Kentucky By Jaclyn D. Norberg Lexington, Kentucky Director: Dr. Robert Shapiro, Senior Associate Dean for Administration, Research, and Graduate Student Success Lexington, Kentucky 2015 Copyright © Jaclyn D. Norberg 2015 ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATION BIOMECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF RACE WALKING COMPARED TO NORMAL WALKING AND RUNNING GAIT Human locomotion is phenomenon that is extraordinarily complex. It is evident that a complete description of locomotion involves consideration of kinematics, kinetics, and muscle activity of the extremities in all of their various movements. Race walking (RW) is a form of upright locomotion that differs from normal walking and running by its form dictated by the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF). Despite the similarities to both normal walking (NW) and running (RU), RW has not been the subject of equally intensive investigations. This study explores the comprehensive biomechanics of race walking and how it compares to NW and RU. A quantitative approach was used to evaluate kinematic, kinetic and muscle activity variables between race walking and both normal walking and running. A cross-sectional, laboratory design was used on 15 recreationally competitive race walkers to evaluate these variables. Based on the results of this study, RW is an intermediate gait between NW and RU that has characteristics of both gaits, but is still a unique gait in itself. While there are differences between RW and both RU and NW, some of the expected differences between RW and the two gaits did not occur. Significantly greater frontal plane pelvis- trunk joint range of motion and sagittal plane peak hip flexor and extensor moments, hip joint range of motion and rectus femoris muscle activity contribute to the significant differences in both RW and NW, and RW and RU. Significant differences between RW and RU showed that RU requires more contribution from the trunk, pelvis and lower extremities kinematically and kinetically, as well as increased muscle activation, to execute the motion than RW. Conversely, RW requires more contribution from these variables than NW does, but in not as great a capacity as RU compared to RW. In spite of these findings, there were some variables that had no significant differences between RW and RU. This suggests that injuries during RW are similar to those during RU, but may not occur as frequently. KEYWORDS: Race walking; Biomechanics; Kinematics, Kinetics, Muscle Activity Jaclyn D. Norberg Student’s Signature 1/25/2015 Date BIOMECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF RACE WALKING COMPARED TO NORMAL WALKING AND RUNNING GAIT By Jaclyn D. Norberg Dr. Robert Shapiro Director of Dissertation Dr. Heather Erwin Director of Graduate Studies 1/25/2015 Date DEDICATION This dissertation is dedicated to everyone who has supported me throughout the journey of my doctorate, whether they are race walkers or not. Most importantly, my family for supporting me during my academic career, my mentors who have led me down the correct path, and my friends for keeping me sane throughout the process. Uncle Bob, I wish you could see me now. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to acknowledge my dissertation committee, Dr. Robert Shapiro, Dr. J.W. Yates, Dr. Michael Pohl, Dr. Tim Butterfield, Dr. Babek Bazrgari, and my outside examiner, Dr. Phillip Gribble for their participation during my dissertation journey. I would also like thank my laboratory colleagues, Dr. Anne Schmitz, Dr. Megan Phillips, Dr. Brian Wallace, Steven Capehart, and Michael Baggaley, who all helped me with data collections, data processing, writing, and editing my dissertation. Without any of their help, I would not have successfully finished my doctoral degree and been able to begin the next chapter of my life. Additionally, a special thanks to my mentor, Dr. Jeff Konin, who has believed in me since day one, and always kept on believing. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................... iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................... iv List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... vi List of Figures ................................................................................................................... vii Chapter One – Introduction ................................................................................................ 1 Statement of Problem .................................................................................................................. 3 Purpose ........................................................................................................................................ 3 Hypotheses .................................................................................................................................. 4 Significance of the Study ............................................................................................................. 6 Delimitations ............................................................................................................................... 6 Limitations ................................................................................................................................... 7 Chapter Two – Biomechanical Analysis of Race Walking ................................................ 8 Methods ....................................................................................................................................... 9 Results ....................................................................................................................................... 16 Discussion .................................................................................................................................. 22 Chapter Three – Biomechanical Analysis of Race Walking Compared to Normal Walking ........................................................................................................................................... 32 Methods ..................................................................................................................................... 34 Results ....................................................................................................................................... 41 Discussion .................................................................................................................................. 50 Chapter Four – Biomechanical Analysis of Race Walking Compared to Running .........
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