Author(s)

Shinichi Demura, Takayoshi Yamada, Tamotsu Kitabayashi, Masanobu Uchiyama

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This study aimed to measure stature changes during and after walking and running at a preferred transition speed (PTS) and the recovery period, and to examine differences caused by loads imposed on the spinal column. Seven males and three females aged 22-41 years took part in this study. Subjects The subjects underwent 15 minutes of walking or running on a treadmill in a random order. Stature changes were measured during each exercise at intervals of 5 minutes and after a 20 minute standing recovery period within units of 0.01 mm. Two- way ANOVA revealed that both main factors, gait (F = 5.250, P < 0.05) and elapsed time (F = 14.409, P < 0.05), had a significant effect on stature. In the post hoc test, stature shrank with time and its loss was found to be greater in running than in walking, but recovered after both exercises. In conclusion, the spinal load increases with time during both walking and running at PTS, but is greater in running than in walking. After both exercises, spinal shrinkage shows a similar recovery process and recovers faster in walking to its pre-exercise level.

Preferred Transition Speed; Walking; Running; Change in Stature; Spinal Shrinkage

Demura, S. , Yamada, T. , Kitabayashi, T. and Uchiyama, M. (2010) Change in stature by walking and running at a preferred transition speed. Health, 2, 1377-1381. doi: 10.4236/health.2010.212204.