running surfaces

[Richard]

My Question to the experts is:

How to measure the force per stride of a runner?

My Project Question is?
What is the best surface to run on?

Problem Statement
How does the running surface affect the runner's body?

Hypothesis:

If the amount of force on a runner’s body is tested on multiple surfaces, then grass will have the least amount of damaging force put on a person’s body.

Introduction:
Back in January while trying to get in shape by running miles on a treadmill I got a painful injury known as “shin splints.” My doctor told me it was due to the type of surface I ran on and it is much healthier to run outside. I had to ice my shins and do no activity for a week, then I got compression socks to aid me doing exercise for four weeks after that. You could say I got my inspiration to do this project so I won’t need to suffer that excruciating pain ever again.

I learned during research that the surface you run on can make a substantial difference in the amount of pounding absorbed by your body (Sol, 2001, p.4). This difference may determine whether or not you cross your threshold for injury. The total force absorbed by your body during running can be calculated as the amount of force per step times the number of steps you take (Williams and Wilkins, 2004, p.1). So you want a surface that is that does not put a lot of extra force on your body to absorb if you want to avoid injury.

Again, how would the expert advise me to measure the force on the runners legs or body?

Are there Ideas?
Thank you!
Justin
















Independent Variable:
Surface

Dependent Variable:
Force put on your body
Levels of
The IV (# of Tests): 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
What each Test will be: (change each test to suit yours): Short Grass Long Grass Track Concrete Gravel Sand Dirt Hardwood
No. of Repeated Trials: Hint - The more trials, the more certain your results! 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
Statistics/Analysis used: Each test will be analyzed using the equation: Total force absorbed = amount of force per step x total number of steps. The results will be charted in a line graph.
Constants in this experiment:

Distance, Flatness of surface, Outdoor Temperature, Shoe Type.


Safety Concerns or Experiment Limitations:
The only safety concern that would come to mind while performing this experiment is getting an injury while running, so I will just have to be aware of my surroundings and stop if I experience pain or discomfort.

Materials:
Force tracking device, running shoes, flat running surfaces.

[Adean2001]

This sounds like a good project. Unfortunately, I don't have an answer for you. I would think you would have to have a special sensor to attach to an individual's foot/shoe in order to test this. You may be better off posting your question on the physics board. Physics experts may have a better idea how you might go about obtaining a device such as this (or making one yourself).

Good luck!

[deleted-133890]

Hi!

You would need some kind of sensor, but these can be quite expensive.

Here are some websites that could give you a better idea of sensors you could use:
http://www.physther.net/content/80/4/399.full
http://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/12/7/9884
http://www.kistler.com/us/en/applicatio ... s/overview

I agree with what was said earlier and would also recommend posting in the physics group.