Ep 181: Understanding Ground Reaction Force, Its Impact on Uphill and Downhill Running with Dr Alena Grabowski

In this episode of Run with Fitpage, we have a leading researcher in the field of integrative physiology and human locomotion — Dr Alena Grabowski. Dr Alena discusses all about Ground Reaction Force, and its impact on your running journey, with our host, Vikas Singh.

Dr Alena Grabowski is a distinguished Associate Professor in the Department of Integrative Physiology at the University of Colorado, Boulder. With a career dedicated to the intersection of physiology and biomechanics, Dr. Grabowski's research explores how assistive mechanical devices, such as leg prostheses and exoskeletons, impact human locomotion, including walking, running, hopping, jumping, bicycling, and sprinting. A significant part of her work focuses on ground reaction forces (GRF) and their implications for running performance, providing valuable insights for athletes and researchers alike.  Grabowski earned her B.A. in Kinesiology from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and later completed her Ph.D. in Integrative Physiology at the same institution. Her professional journey includes a post-doctoral fellowship at the Media Lab Biomechatronics Group at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and roles as a Research Scientist at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and a Research Specialist at Whirlwind Wheelchair International. 

Dr Grabowski leads the Applied Biomechanics Laboratory, where her innovative research continues to advance our understanding of the biomechanical and physiological effects of assistive devices, ultimately aiming to improve mobility and performance for individuals with and without physical impairments. Her work not only contributes to academic knowledge but also has practical applications in enhancing athletic performance and developing targeted rehabilitation programs.

About Vikas Singh:
Vikas Singh, an MBA from Chicago Booth, worked at Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, APGlobale, and Reliance before coming up with the idea of democratizing fitness knowledge and helping beginners get on a fitness journey. Vikas is an avid long-distance runner, building fitpage to help people learn, train, and move better.
For more information on Vikas, or to leave any feedback and requests, you can reach out to him via the channels below:
Instagram: @vikas_singhh
LinkedIn: Vikas Singh
Twitter: @vikashsingh101

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