The effects of trail versus road running on neuromuscular performance

INTERVENTION: All participants are asked to answer the International Physical Activity Questionnaire – Short Form (IPAQ‐SF), the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR‐Q&YOU), and the American College of Sports and Medicine (ACSM) Risk Stratification to assess their current health and activity levels. Participants are anonymously assigned by the researcher by simple randomization using a random number generator to either TRAIL (n=20) or ROAD (n=19) and instructed with the same endurance exercise program. Those in the TRAIL group run on a trail. Those in the ROAD group run on a road. Both groups perform a continuous, progressive running program over a period of 8 weeks, 3‐5 times a week for 25 ‐ 45 minutes with and without walk breaks. Perceived exertion levels are recorded by each participant in an individually prepared training logbook along with other information, such as duration and mileage of the run, and how they felt after each workout. Pre‐ and posttraining program testing sessions are scheduled with the examiner. Therefore, participants reported to the Exercise Science Laboratory of the Northern Michigan University campus, once before and once after the intervention for about 90 minutes each session. Testing was performed for static and dynamic balance, gait analysis, agility, leg strength, and endurance capacity. The programme consists of eight weeks of gradually increasing running workouts with a total amount of 29 training sessions. Thereof, an adherence rate of a minimum of 80% (24 runs) is required. Exercise training started for each participant after the pretest in September 2016 and was done individually on self‐selected outdoor trails and roads at a perceived exertion of 3‐4 on Borg CR‐10. Participants are contacted at least once a week by the researcher for an update/feedback on their progress in and experience with the training program. Optional running meetings are held twice a week for each group (total 4 meetings) with me and additional individu CONDITION: Falls and fall‐related injury due to physical inactivity and accelerated aging‐induced functional decrements across all bodily systems, which also compromise the performance of activities of daily living (ADL) ; Injury, Occupational Diseases, Poisoning ; Falls and fall‐related injury PRIMARY OUTCOME: All measurements were conducted once for each participant at baseline and a second time within 1 week after completion of the 8‐week intervention/training program.; 1. Static balance was measured using the BESS (Balance Error Scoring System) test; 2. Dynamic balance was measured using the Y‐balance test; 3. Gait was measured using the Rehagait gait analysis device during level walking at self‐selected walking‐speeds under single and dual task conditions; 4. Agility was measured using the Agility T‐Test; 5. Strength was measured using the BIODEX Multijoint System 4 Pro for dominant isokinetic leg strength, applying the knee and ankle device (knee extension/flexion, ankle plantar/dorsi flexion) SECONDARY OUTCOME: Predicated maximal oxygen consumption is measured using the Parvo Medics True One 2400 metabolic measurement system via indirect calorimetry. Participants are tested on a treadmill applying the Pepper protocol. Briefly, the protocol starts with an inclination of of 0% and a velocity of 2.5 miles per hour. Exercise intensity increases every minute by elevating either inclination or velocity. Tests are terminated when subjects reached 85% of their predicted VO2max. All posttests are scheduled at the same day and similar times of the day as pretestings. INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Between 18‐59 years of age 2. Currently sedentary or had not exercised more than twice a week for the last three months 3. If a person has two risk factors related to cardiovascular disease, they are required to have a medical exam and physician consent