What is the topic (idea) of your project? For our final project, we were tasked with designing an application utilizing MATLAB Mobile and MATLAB software that can calculate the number of steps taken over a certain period of time. This is possible by analyzing 3-D acceleration vectors captured by a smartphone. Any peaks present in the data correspond to a step being taken, due the nature of the phases associated with running, where the body will momentarily decelerate as initial contact is made with the ground before accelerating again. We hope to study the effect of running surfaces on cadence (steps per minute) through a fixed distance. What has already been done in this area? The literature. Previous research has examined the amount of leg stiffness resulting while running on different types of surfaces.This analysis shows the differing levels of metabolic cost, energy expended, that can be expected by an athlete training on different surfaces. Leg stiffness will also impact the potential for development of injury. Softer surfaces require a greater amount of leg stiffness which could possibly lead to greater injury risk. Running surface also has a significant impact on the amount of ground force reaction produced. This can impact the level of biomechanical response adapted by individual runners changing their overall running mechanics. Studies have observed the maximal and minimal levels of plantar force that was generated while running on different surfaces. With increased levels of plantar force, there is a greater likelihood to develop plantar fasciitis, a debilitating injury for runners. Different surfaces can also impact the dynamic stability while running. Changes in running surface can cause runners to adapt their locomotor biomechanics, fundamentally changing their running stride. References Dixon, S. J., Collop, A. C., & Batt, M. E. (2000). Surface effects on ground reaction forces and lower extremity kinematics in running. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 32(11), 1919–1926.https://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/Fulltext/2000/11000/Surface_effects_on_ground_reaction_forces_and.16.aspx Ferris, D. P., Louie, M., & Farley, C. T. (1998). Running in the real world: Adjusting leg stiffness for different surfaces. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B: Biological Sciences, 265(1400), 989–994. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.1998.0388 Hong, Y., Wang, L., Li, J. X., & Zhou, J. H. (2012). Comparison of plantar loads during treadmill and overground running. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 15(6), 554–560. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2012.01.004 Karve, R., & Tiwari, P. S. (2010). Running training on different surfaces have different effects on performance. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 44(Suppl_1), i27–i27. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.2010.078725.90 Kerdok, A. E., Biewener, A. A., McMahon, T. A., Weyand, P. G., & Herr, H. M. (2002). Energetics and mechanics of human running on surfaces of different stiffnesses. Journal of Applied Physiology, 92(2), 469–478. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.01164.2000 Malisoux, L., Gette, P., Urhausen, A., Bomfim, J., & Theisen, D. (2017). Influence of sports flooring and shoes on impact forces and performance during jump tasks. PLOS ONE, 12(10), e0186297. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0186297 Ovid: CHANGES IN GROUND REACTION FORCES DURING RUNNING ON DIFFERENT SURFACES.(n.d.). Retrieved October 12, 2020, from https://ovidsp-dc2-ovid-com.ezproxy.library.wisc.edu/ovid-a/ovidweb.cgi?QS2=434f4e1a73d37e8c27e134f44f8715f16823a9ccf84620e95f75247bbf9590933be8642d4ea4a71c512b37ad21f2e9788d03f04cb57419c530cff36185d6cb8f7e730a4868a2d1a81bcbe8f6335eb43c9a798eec6f02475affe2f6cf608e2439ffc66f4667cec775b7bde2fb171fa62ff890f454d0771d05ff0d44f10bc532ad9e492b2cc31cabad0a1951832f Razak, A. H. A., Basaruddin, K. S., Salleh, A. F., Rusli, W. M. R., Hashim, M. S. M., & Daud, R. (2017). Finite element modelling of Plantar Fascia response during running on different surface types. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 908, 012035. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/908/1/012035 Schütte, K. H., Aeles, J., De Beéck, T. O., van der Zwaard, B. C., Venter, R., & Vanwanseele, B. (2016). Surface effects on dynamic stability and loading during outdoor running using wireless trunk accelerometry. Gait & Posture, 48, 220–225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2016.05.017 van der Krogt, M. M., de Graaf, W. W., Farley, C. T., Moritz, C. T., Richard Casius, L. J., & Bobbert, M. F. (2009). Robust passive dynamics of the musculoskeletal system compensate for unexpected surface changes during human hopping. Journal of Applied Physiology, 107(3), 801–808. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.91189.2008 What major outcome(s) (dependent variable) are you interested in? Using the collected data, we can calculate stride length by dividing the distance covered by the number of steps taken. This will allow us to compare stride length, as well as cadence, between surfaces. To what group (population) do you wish to apply your results? Our results will be beneficial to athletic populations that utilize running in their training programs. It will allow them to gain a deeper understanding on how running surfaces can change their cadence, stride length, and time on feet. What is the specific question that you hope to answer with your project? We aim to uncover which surface correlates to the least number of steps necessary to cover 40m. The number of steps taken within the 40m distance will also give insight into stride length, time between strides, and time taken to complete the distance. What answer do you expect to find to your question? The answer to our question will be noticing any adjustments made to stride length, time between strides, and overall distance time per surface type when running an equivalent distance. We are selecting three different surfaces (pavement, grass, and sand) that we believe will create visible differences in the previously mentioned parameters. What is one interesting hypothesis that you can test with your device/method? The main hypothesis we would be interested in testing is to see if the stride length changes based on the surface type that the athlete is running on. Utilizing our device we can measure cadence which will give us insight into the changes in lower-limb running mechanics. Why is this question important today? Relevance. Our study is relevant in today’s world because it will inform runners and other athletes to different modalities of running based on their environment. Running on different surfaces requires different cadences, which in turn contributes to various parameters, many of which have been mentioned above. This variety is beneficial to building a broad foundation in which overall running performance can improve on.