Effect of Running Speed and Aerobic Dance Jump Height on Vertical Ground Reaction Forces

Abstract

Aerobic dance movement sequences are similar to running in repetitive frequency. The purpose of this study was to compare ground reaction force variables in aerobic dance and running. Five female subjects performed 10 trials of five running speeds (2.4–4.0 ± 0.4 m/s) and five heights (0–8 ± 0.2 cm) of front knee lift aerobic dance steps on an AMTI force plate (1000 Hz). First peak impact force, peak loading rate, high-frequency impulse, and 50-ms impulse increased with increased running speed and jumping height. Time to first peak impact force decreased as running speed and jumping height increased. Although first peak impact forces resulting from airborne aerobic dance movements (1.96–2.62 BW) were greater than first peak impact forces in running (1.30–2.01 BW), running compared to aerobic dance resulted in shorter time to first peak impact force and higher values for loading rate, high-frequency impulse, and 50-ms impulse. When compared to aerobic dance, running exhibits smaller peak vertical forces but higher loading rates and vertical impulses.