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article 2009 10 pages

High Resolution MEMS Accelerometers to Estimate VO2 and Compare Running Mechanics between Highly Trained Inter-Collegiate and Untrained Runners

Stephen J. McGregor, Michael A. Busa, James A. Yaggie, Erik M. Bollt

Journal
PLOS ONE
DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0007355
Publication type
Research Article
Population
Highly Trained Inter-Collegiate and Untrained Runners
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Abstract

Background

The purposes of this study were to determine the validity and reliability of high resolution accelerometers (HRA) relative to VO2 and speed, and compare putative differences in HRA signal between trained (T) and untrained (UT) runners during treadmill locomotion.

Methodology

Runners performed 2 incremental VO2max trials while wearing HRA. RMS of high frequency signal from three axes (VT, ML, AP) and the Euclidean resultant (RES) were compared to VO2 to determine validity and reliability. Additionally, axial rms relative to speed, and ratio of axial accelerations to RES were compared between T and UT to determine if differences in running mechanics could be identified between the two groups.

Principal Findings

Regression of RES was strongly related to VO2, but T was different than UT (r = 0.96 vs 0.92; p

Description

This research evaluates accelerometers' effectiveness in estimating VO2 during running.