BIOMECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF 2 CHANGE-OF-DIRECTION MANEUVERS WHILE RUNNING

Many research efforts focus on unidirectional gait However, few functi onal activities are exclusively linear: people regularly change direct ions to evade obstructions. Directional changes have been identified a s particularly hazardous, but rarely studied. The purpose of this stud y was to examine the kinetics oi abrupt changes of direction while run ning. Twelve adult volunteers performed 10 trials each for 45 degrees and 90 degrees change-of-direction conditions. Orthogonal force and mo ment (torque) records were obtained using a computer-interlaced force platform system. Vertical, braking, and propulsive force and applied t orque variables were extracted for statistical analysis. Significant f orce differences (p < .01) were identified between conditions. Applied torques were highly variable and not significantly different Function ally) these data suggest that applied forces serve as the principal im petus of directional change.