INTRODUCTION

In the past decade, physical fitness has gained increased popularity. Employers are placing more emphasis on physical health, and encourage it by having on-site exercise facilities and staff. As future health care professionals, it is necessary to know the best possible way for people to exercise and obtain the maximum physiological benefits. When deciding on an exercise program, such as running, it is important to consider the method used. The equipment utilized may effect the biomechanics of the motion.

According to Boer and Nigg (1995), the angle of the foot with respect to the ground is smaller when running on a treadmill as opposed to running overground. In this experiment, we are going to examine how the angle of the ankle impacts the positioning of therest of the body, specifically the angle of the trunk segment. In order to look at this relationship, we will use a digital video comparing two running exercises, one performed on a wooden surface and the other performed on a treadmill.