COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTS OF FORWARD & BACKWARD RUNNING TECHNIQUES ON THE FUNTIONAL PERFORMANCES OF LOWER EXTERMITY

The aim of this clinical trial was to compare the effects of two techniques, forward & backward runningon the functional performances of lower exterimity. These functional performances were, (i) Vertical Jump, (ii) Single leg hop, (iii) Six Meters timed Hop & (iv) Shuttle Run. In a pilot study the reliability of these tests was confirmed. A convenient sample of 30 young & healthy men were selected and randomly assigned into two groups of 15 each. The testing period lasted 6 weeks with 3 sessions per week. Each session took 15 minutes. Measurements were taken at the beginning and every two weeks henceforward. Therefore we had between and within group analyses, using independent t-test and ANOVA. After the end of the 6th week, significant increase in functional performances of lower exterimity was observed in both groups. But these two techniques had similar effects,i.e. the observed difference between group performances was not statstically significant. That is, forward & backward running excersices have equal effects on the functional performances of lower exterimity.