Background

Ellipticals are used to address walking and cardiorespiratory training goals of older adults, some of whom are at risk for foot injuries. Variations in joint kinematics and muscle demands when using different ellipticals could lead to plantar pressure differences. This study explored plantar pressure variables during gait and use of four ellipticals.

Methods

Plantar pressures were recorded while 10 adults [68.1 (4.5) years] walked and used the True, Octane, Life Fitness, and SportsArt ellipticals. Repeated-measures ANOVAs (5 × 1) identified forefoot and heel differences across conditions.

Findings

Maximum forefoot forces and peak pressures were significantly lower than walking for each elliptical condition with one exception (Life Fitness peak pressure). However, sustained elliptical pedal contact time contributed to forefoot pressure-time integrals and dosages (i.e., cumulative pressure during one minute of activity) not varying significantly amongst elliptical and walking conditions. Heel maximum forces and peak pressures were significantly lower than walking during all elliptical conditions except SportsArt. Heel contact time on SportsArt and Octane exceeded walking, and SportsArt heel contact time exceeded Life Fitness. Heel pressure-time integral was greater on SportsArt compared to walking, Life Fitness, and True. Sports Art heel dosage exceeded Life Fitness and True.

Interpretation

While elliptical training's sustained double limb support diminished maximal forces and peak pressures under the forefoot and heel compared to walking, each ellipticals' pressure-time integral and dosage were not significantly lower than walking. These findings point to the importance of carefully initiating elliptical training programs to minimize tissue injury, particularly if sensory neuropathy is present.

中文翻译：

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老年人在椭圆机上的足底压力变量的变化。

背景

椭圆机用于解决老年人的步行和心肺训练目标，其中一些人有脚部受伤的危险。当使用不同的椭圆机时，关节运动学和肌肉需求的变化可能导致足底压力差异。这项研究探讨了步态和使用四个椭圆机时的足底压力变量。

方法

当10位成年人（68.1（4.5）岁）行走并使用True，Octane，Life Fitness和SportsArt椭圆机时，记录了足底压力。重复测量方差分析（5×1）可以确定不同情况下的前脚和脚后跟差异。

发现

对于每种椭圆形情况，最大前脚力量和峰值压力均显着低于步行，只有一个例外（生活健身峰值压力）。但是，持续的椭圆踏板接触时间对前脚压力-时间积分和剂量（即活动一分钟内的累积压力）的贡献在椭圆和步行条件下没有明显变化。在除SportArt之外的所有椭圆条件下，足跟的最大力量和峰值压力均明显低于步行。SportsArt和Octane上的脚跟接触时间超过了步行，SportsArt脚跟接触时间超过了Life Fitness。与步行，Life Fitness和True相比，SportsArt的脚跟压力-时间积分更大。Sports Art脚跟剂量超过了Life Fitness和True。

解释

尽管椭圆形训练的持续双肢支撑与步行相比减小了前脚和脚后跟的最大作用力和峰值压力，但是每个椭圆形的压力时间积分和剂量都没有明显低于步行。这些发现表明了认真启动椭圆训练程序以最小化组织损伤的重要性，特别是在存在感觉神经病的情况下。