Physiological and biomechanical responses while running with and without a stroller.

AIM: This study examined the effects of pushing a jogging stroller on biomechanical and physiological variables. The hypothesis was that running with a stroller for 30 minutes would shorten stride length and increase physiological indices of exercise.

EXPERIMENTAL

DESIGN

this was a repeated measures design.

SETTING

participants were recruited from road races in the Dallas/Fort Worth, TX area. Graded exercise tests were performed in a laboratory setting, field tests were performed on a 400 m all-weather outdoor track.

PARTICIPANTS

5 males and 5 females were assessed.

INTERVENTIONS: participants performed a graded exercise test and 2 field tests. The 1st field test involved running at 75% VO2max for 30 minutes without a stroller and the 2nd involved running at the same speed with the stroller.

MEASURES: VO2, stride length, heart rate, lactate, ventilation, and RPE were evaluated.

RESULTS

No differences for VO2 or stride length were evident. Heart rate (p=0.0001), lactate concentration (p=0.025), ventilation (p=0.009), and RPE (p=0.002) increased from 10 to 30 minutes while running with the stroller. Heart rate (p=0.002), lactate concentration (p=0.0001), ventilation (p=0.006), and RPE (p=0.001) were significantly higher while running with the stroller after 30 minutes compared to running without it.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that pushing a stroller affects some indices of exercise intensity while running. Gait does not change. These data do not support an association between stroller use during running and an increase risk of orthopedic injury. Further studies should examine these variables at lower intensities that are run by most recreational joggers.