Girard, OlivierVan Alsenoy, Ken K.Li, Siu NamRyu, Joong HyunPeeling, Peter2021-07-062021-07-062021-06-27Girard, O., Van Alsenoy, K. K., Li, S. N., Ryu, J. H. & Peeling, P. (2022) 'Constant low-to-moderate mechanical asymmetries during a treadmill graded exercise test', European Journal of Sport Science, 22(4), pp. 530-538.1746-13911536-7290https://eresearch.qmu.ac.uk/handle/20.500.12289/11333https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2021.1922504From Crossref journal articles via Jisc Publications RouterThis study describes asymmetry in key mechanical variables during a treadmill-based, running graded exercise test (GXT). Twenty-one recreationally trained male runners completed a continuous, maximal GXT on an instrumented treadmill, starting at 9 km.h−1 with speed increases of +0.5 km.h−1 every 30 s, for the determination of ventilatory threshold (VT), respiratory compensation point (RCP), and maximal oxygen uptake (MAX). Ground reaction forces were recorded continuously and subsequently averaged from 10 consecutive steps corresponding to VT, RCP and MAX intensity stages (13.4 ± 1.2 km.h−1, 16.0 ± 1.6 km.h−1 and 18.2 ± 1.5 km.h−1, respectively). Asymmetry scores were assessed from the “symmetry angle” (SA) formulae, where a score of 0%/100% indicates perfect symmetry/asymmetry; these were then compared between the three intensity stages. There was no influence of exercise intensity on SA scores for any of the sixteen biomechanical variables (P > 0.222). The group mean SA scores did not exceed 1.5% for spatio-temporal variables (contact time, aerial time, frequency and step length). There were larger mean SA scores for mean loading rate (3.7 ± 2.7%) and most spring-mass model variables (vertical stiffness: 2.2 ± 1.6% and leg stiffness: 1.7 ± 1.4%). The SA scores were ∼1.0–3.5% for braking and propulsive phase durations, peak forces, and resulting impulses. Lower extremities behave similarly at submaximal and maximal intensities during GXT, indicating that runners maintained relatively even strides as intensity increased. However, practitioners must be careful not to infer the presence of asymmetry during GXT based on a single variable, given the lower SA scores for spatio-temporal parameters.530-538This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in European Journal of Sport Science on 2021-06-27, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/17461391.2021.1922504Symmetry Angle ScoresAsymmetryRunning MechanicsIncremental TestInstrumented TreadmillArticle2021-07-06