# Backward Locomotion as a Novel Strategy for Enhancing Obesity Management
## 5 Conclusions  
This study provides robust evidence that backward locomotion elicits significantly higher cardiorespiratory, metabolic, and perceptual demands than forward locomotion in individuals with a body mass index (BMI) \(\geq\) 30. The increased oxygen consumption (VO\({}_{2}\)), heart rate, energy expenditure, and lactate production during backward locomotion, coupled with heightened activation of specific muscles such as the tibialis anterior, indicate that this movement modality is more metabolically demanding. Furthermore, the significant effects of speed and the direction-speed interaction underscore the importance of considering both factors when designing exercise protocols. While backward locomotion offers benefits such as reduced joint loading and increased energy expenditure, its higher perceptual demand (Borg RPE) should be considered when recommending it to overweight individuals. **Practical Recommendations**: The findings suggest that backward walking can be an effective exercise modality for obese individuals to support weight management and enhance cardiorespiratory fitness. Exercise professionals may implement 10 min backward walking sessions at 3-4 km/h, 2 times per week, to increase energy expenditure while minimizing joint stress. However, due to the elevated perceptual effort, sessions should start at a low intensity and progressively increase based on individual tolerance. This approach can promote exercise adherence and serve as a joint-friendly alternative in rehabilitation programs for obese individuals. **Study Limitations:** The study was limited to sedentary male participants, restricting the generalizability of findings to females or other age groups. Additionally, the lack of the direct measurement of joint forces necessitated reliance on indirect evidence regarding reduced joint loading in backward locomotion. As the study focused on acute effects, the long-term impacts of backward locomotion (e.g., on body composition or joint health) remain unexplored. Finally, although the Latin Square design minimized order effects, individual physiological variations may have partially influenced the results. **Recommendations for Future Research:** This study provides valuable insights into the acute effects of forward and backward locomotion in obese individuals but identifies knowledge gaps that offer opportunities for future research. Below are structured recommendations addressing these gaps, outlining clinical and methodological directions. **Investigation of Long-Term Effects:** The study's focus on acute responses limits conclusions about long-term effects on fitness and weight management. Future research should employ longitudinal designs to examine the impact of backward locomotion training on body composition (e.g., fat mass or muscle mass), cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2 max), and metabolic health (e.g., insulin sensitivity). Clinically, such studies could optimize the integration of backward locomotion into long-term exercise programs for obesity management. **Broader and More Diverse Samples:** The sample was restricted to sedentary males aged 18-34 with a BMI \(\geq\) 30, limiting generalizability to females, older adults, or nonsedentary individuals. Future studies should include more diverse populations regarding gender, age, and activity level. This would enhance understanding of backward locomotion's physiological and perceptual effects across demographics, supporting the development of inclusive exercise prescriptions. Clinically, this diversity could inform personalized exercise programs for obese individuals. **Incorporation of Biomechanical Analyses:** Joint forces were not directly measured, hindering the full validation of backward locomotion's joint-protective potential. Future research should incorporate biomechanical analyses (e.g., motion capture systems or wearable sensors for joint load measurements) to assess the impact of backward locomotion on joint stress.