The effect of backward locomotion training on the body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness of young women

Int J Sports Med. 2005 Apr;26(3):214-9. doi: 10.1055/s-2004-820997.

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of a backward training program on the physical and fitness condition of young women. Twenty-six healthy female university students (aged 18 - 23 years) took part in three different baseline tests: body composition, a submaximal treadmill test, and a 20-m shuttle run test. Subjects were divided into a training group (n = 13) and a control group (n = 13). The training group completed a six-week backward run/walk training program. The control group was restricted to their daily activities similar to the four weeks prior to the onset of the baseline tests. The training group showed a significant (p = 0.01) decrease in O(2) consumption during both submaximal forward and backward exercise on the treadmill (32 % decrease during backward and 30 % decrease during forward exercise). A significant (p = 0.01) decrease in percentage body fat (2.4 %), a 19.7 % decrease in the sum of skinfolds (p = 0.001) and significantly (p = 0.013) improved predicted VO(2max) values from the forward 20-m shuttle run test (5.2 %) were also found in the case of the training group. The findings suggest that backward walk/run training improves cardiorespiratory fitness for both forward and backward exercise and causes significant changes in body composition in young women.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Controlled Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Body Composition / physiology*
  • Exercise Test
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leg / physiology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology
  • Oxygen Consumption / physiology
  • Physical Fitness / physiology*
  • Running / physiology*
  • Skinfold Thickness
  • Walking / physiology*