The Effect of Ground Reaction Forces on VO₂max and Heart Rate ‎Variability During Treadmill Running

Objective: This study investigated the effect of ground reaction forces (GRF) on VO₂max and ‎heart rate variability (HRV) during treadmill running.‎Methods: A quasi-experimental repeated-measures design employed ۳۰ male athletes (age: ۲۴.۶ ‎‎± ۲.۱ years) with ≥۳ years of running experience. Participants ran at three speeds (۸, ۱۰, ۱۲ km/h) ‎with ۱% incline. GRF components (vertical, anterior-posterior, mediolateral) were recorded via ‎force plate. VO₂max was measured using metabolic gas analysis (Bruce protocol). HRV indices ‎‎(RMSSD, SDNN, LF, HF, LF/HF) were recorded via electrocardiography. Data were analyzed ‎using repeated-measures ANOVA, independent t-tests, and Pearson correlations.‎Results: Increasing speed significantly increased all GRF components and VO₂max (p < ۰.۰۱), ‎while HRV decreased (F(۲,۵۸) = ۶.۵۴, p = ۰.۰۰۳). Higher VO₂max athletes showed greater ‎HRV (t(۲۸) = ۲.۶۷, p = ۰.۰۱۲, d = ۰.۹۵). Vertical GRF positively correlated with VO₂max (r = ‎‎۰.۴۱, p = ۰.۰۲۱), while anterior-posterior GRF negatively correlated with HRV (r = -۰.۳۶, p = ‎‎۰.۰۳۴). Mediolateral GRF showed no significant correlation with HRV (r = -۰.۲۲, p = ۰.۰۸۷).‎Conclusion: Running speed significantly influences GRF, VO₂max, and HRV. The correlations ‎between biomechanical and physiological variables highlight the need for integrated approaches ‎in training, performance evaluation, and rehabilitation. This model may guide future research ‎optimizing performance and reducing injury risk.‎

کلیدواژه ها:

Ground Reaction Forces ، VO₂max ، Heart Rate Variability ، Treadmill Running ، Biomechanics