Ian Klein with outdoor elliptical bicycle, the Elliptigo.
Ohio University alum Ian Klein, Visiting Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences, is improving knowledge about avoiding injuries and maximizing performance in athletes and physical activity individuals.
Klein research on the world’s first outdoor elliptical bicycle (elliptigo.com) is “designed to elicit running-similar physiological adaptations while reducing the impact forces that commonly lead to injury.”
His research was featured in an article about rehabbing injuries in the Washington Post. He co-authored an article on cross-training for the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Association’s Techniques Magazine, and he spoke at the National American College of Sports Medicine Conference with four-time Olympic Marathoner Meb Keflezighi.
Human anatomy and physiology lecturer, researcher, cross country coach, and exercise enthusiast are a few titles that Klein holds. Klein earned a bachelor’s and a master’s in exercise physiology from the College of Health Science and Professions at Ohio University.
When he is not teaching, he focuses his time between conducting research on the ElliptiGO bicycle and coaching Ohio University cross country runners.
His recent research article, “A Physiological Comparison of Physiological Variables between the ElliptiGO Bicycle and Run Training in Experienced Runners,” published in 2016, investigates the novel ElliptiGO bicycle that has been designed to provide a non-impact, running-similar outdoor experience. This article established the ability for the ElliptiGO to maintain a runner’s fitness and performance over a four-week period, giving hope to injured runners who otherwise might not have many options.
Following the publication of this research, Klein was asked to provide insight into the current prescription for rehabbing injuries by the Washington Post. This article discussed the latest rehabilitation prescription, which is focused on staying as active as possible when injured in order to limit the loss of fitness, instead of prescribing the traditional rest, ice, compression, and elevation (R.I.C.E) method. This article was published in 164 media reports including the Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, and Orlando Sentinel. Klein received a KeyStroke Catalyst Award at the Ohio University Newsmakers Gala as having the sixth-highest media placements among faculty at Ohio University in 2016.
He also has co-authored an article for the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCC) titled, “Cross-Training for Runners: How athletes can maintain performance when training off the track”. This article focused on how runners and coaches could utilize cross-training for prevention of injuries.
Klein was invited to speak with four-time Olympic Marathoner Meb Keflezighi at the National American College of Sports Medicine Conference in Boston. The ElliptiGO research article was featured in a Showcase Event that drew over 500 attendees to examine how Keflezighi had been able to qualify for his fourth Olympics at the age of 41. The answer was a combination of smart training with his coach and the utilization of the ElliptiGO. The research study provided scientific evidence for Keflezighi’s avoidance of injury and long term success.
Klein continues to research the ElliptiGO and other cross-training modalities in hopes of improving our knowledge on the most effective methods for staying healthy, maximizing athletic performance, and enjoying life.
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