scholarly journals Physiological Determinants of Ultramarathon Trail Running Performance

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra M Coates ◽  
Jordan Berard ◽  
Trevor James King ◽  
Jamie Burr

The physiological determinants of ultramarathon success have rarely been assessed, and likely differ in their contributions to performance as race distance increases. The aim of this study was to examine predictors of performance in athletes who completed either a 50km (n:23, F:11), 80km (n:14, F:4), or 160km (n:14, F:2) trail race over a 20km-loop course on the same day. Measures of training history, aerobic fitness, running economy, in-race dehydration, and cardiovascular health were examined in relation to race-day performance. Performance was defined as the percent difference from the winning time at a given race distance, with 0% representing the fastest possible time. In the 50km race, higher training volumes, cardiovascular health, aerobic fitness, and a greater loss of body mass during the race were all related to better performance (all P<0.05). Using multiple linear regression, peak velocity achieved in the VO2max test (β=-11.7, P=0.002) and baseline blood pressure (β=3.1, P=0.007) were the best performance predictors for the men’s 50km race (r=0.98, r2=0.96, P<0.001), while peak velocity achieved in the VO2max test (β=-13.6, P=0.001) and loss of body mass (β=12.8, P=0.03) were the best predictors for women (r=0.94, r2=0.87, P=0.001). In the 80km race, only peak velocity achieved in the VO2max test predicted performance (β =-20.3, r=0.88, r2=0.78, P<0.001). In the 160km race, there were no significant performance determinants. While classic determinants of running performance including cardiovascular health, and running fitness predict 50km trail running success, performance in longer distance races appears to be less influenced by such physiological parameters.

Author(s):  
Alexandra M. Coates ◽  
Jordan A. Berard ◽  
Trevor J. King ◽  
Jamie F. Burr

Context: The physiological determinants of ultramarathon success have rarely been assessed and likely differ in their contributions to performance as race distance increases. Purpose: To examine predictors of performance in athletes who completed either a 50-, 80-, or 160-km trail race over a 20-km loop course on the same day. Methods: Measures of running history, aerobic fitness, running economy, body mass loss, hematocrit alterations, age, and cardiovascular health were examined in relation to race-day performance. Performance was defined as the percentage difference from the winning time at a given race distance, with 0% representing the fastest possible time. Results: In the 50-km race, training volumes, cardiovascular health, aerobic fitness, and a greater loss of body mass during the race were all related to better performance (all P < .05). Using multiple linear regression, peak velocity achieved in the maximal oxygen uptake test (β = −11.7, P = .002) and baseline blood pressure (β = 3.1, P = .007) were the best performance predictors for the men’s 50-km race (r = .98, r2 = .96, P < .001), while peak velocity achieved in the maximal oxygen uptake test (β = −13.6, P = .001) and loss of body mass (β = 12.8, P = .03) were the best predictors for women (r = .94, r2 = .87, P = .001). In the 80-km race, only peak velocity achieved in the maximal oxygen uptake test predicted performance (β = −20.3, r = .88, r2 = .78, P < .001). In the 160-km race, there were no significant performance determinants. Conclusions: While classic determinants of running performance, including cardiovascular health and running fitness, predict 50-km trail-running success, performance in longer-distance races appears to be less influenced by such physiological parameters.


Author(s):  
Simon J. de Waal ◽  
Josu Gomez-Ezeiza ◽  
Rachel E. Venter ◽  
Robert P. Lamberts

Purpose: To provide a systematic overview of physiological parameters used to determine the training status of a trail runner and how well these parameters correlate with real-world trail running performance. Method: An electronic literature search of the PubMed and Scopus digital databases was performed. Combinations of the terms “trail run” or “trail runner” or “trail running” and “performance” were used as search terms. Seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Results: Trail running performance most commonly correlated (mean [SD]) with maximal aerobic capacity (71%; r = −.50 [.32]), lactate threshold (57%; r = −.48 [.28]), velocity at maximal aerobic capacity (43%; r = −.68 [.08]), running economy (43%; r = −.31 [.22]), body fat percentage (43%; r = .55 [.21]), and age (43%; r = .52 [.14]). Regression analyses in 2 studies were based on a single variable predicting 48% to 60% of performance variation, whereas 5 studies included multiple variable regression analyses predicting 48% to 99% of performance variation. Conclusions: Trail running performance is multifaceted. The classic endurance model shows a weaker association with performance in trail running than in road running. Certain variables associated with trail running research (such as testing procedures, race profiles, and study participants) hinder the execution of comparative studies. Future research should employ trail-specific testing protocols and clear, objective descriptions of both the race profile and participants’ training status.


Author(s):  
Kelsey C. Bourbeau ◽  
Mattina M. Rosinski ◽  
Taylor M. Szczygiel ◽  
Ryan Pettit-Mee ◽  
Jenna E. Sessions ◽  
...  

Sports ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 30
Author(s):  
Jenny M. Mahoney ◽  
Brett R. Baughman ◽  
Ailish C. Sheard ◽  
Brandon J. Sawyer

The aim of the present study was to assess the validity of verification phase (VP) testing and a 3 min all-out test to determine critical power (CP) in males with obesity. Nine young adult males with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg·m−2 completed a cycle ergometer ramp-style VO2max test, four randomized VP tests at 80, 90, 100, and 105% of maximum wattage attained during the ramp test, and a 3 min all-out test. There was a significant main effect for VO2max across all five tests (p = 0.049). Individually, 8 of 9 participants attained a higher VO2max (L/min) during a VP test compared to the ramp test. A trend (p = 0.06) was observed for VO2max during the 90% VP test (3.61 ± 0.54 L/min) when compared to the ramp test (3.37 ± 0.39 L/min). A significantly higher VO2max (p = 0.016) was found in the VP tests that occurred below 130% of CP wattage (N = 15, VO2max = 3.76 ± 0.52 L/min) compared to those that were above (N = 21, VO2max = 3.36 ± 0.41 L/min). Our findings suggest submaximal VP tests at 90% may elicit the highest VO2max in males with obesity and there may be merit in using % of CP wattage to determine optimal VP intensity.


2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (sup1) ◽  
pp. S61-S62
Author(s):  
Isabel Sarah Moore ◽  
Andrew Jones ◽  
Sharon Dixon

2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 374-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew S. Cole ◽  
Megan E. Woodruff ◽  
Mary P. Horn ◽  
Anthony D. Mahon

Relationships between physiological parameters and 5-km running performance were examined in 15 male runners (17.3 ± 0.9 years). Running economy (RE) and blood lactate concentration ([BLa]) at 241.2 m/min, VO2max, velocity at VO2max (vVO2max), vertical jump height and muscle power, and isokinetic knee extension strength at 60°/sec and 240°/sec were measured. The participants’ best 5-km race time over the last month of the cross-country season (16.98 ± 0.76 min) was used in the analysis. The data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients. Significant relationships to run time were observed for VO2max (r = -.53), RE (r = .55), and vVO2max (r = -.66), but not [BLa], isokinetic muscle torque, or vertical jump. Identifying the unique strength and power characteristics related to running performance in this age group is warranted.


2018 ◽  
Vol 02 (02) ◽  
pp. E41-E45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joe Warne ◽  
Kieran Moran ◽  
Giles Warrington

AbstractThe aim of this study is to examine if small increases to step frequency associated with minimal footwear can influence Running Economy (RE). Twelve club-level runners with eight weeks of minimal footwear experience were recruited (age, 41±9 years; stature, 177.2±10.4 cm; body mass, 72.6±10.2 kg; V˙O2max, 52.1±7.5 mL·min−1·kg−1). Two 6-min RE tests, one in minimal footwear and one in conventional running shoes were performed at 11 km·h−1. Two more 6-min tests were completed during which step frequency was controlled using a metronome at the cadence of the opposite footwear condition (RErevSF). Comparisons were completed between the same footwear using repeated measures ANCOVA. The increase in step frequency for minimal footwear vs. conventional running shoes was 7.3±2.3 steps per minute (3.9% difference; 95% CI of difference [5.87 to 8.80 steps/min]; p≤0.001; Cohen’s d=0.70). No significant differences were identified between RE and RErevSF for minimal footwear (40.72±4.08 vs. 41.09±4.19 mL·min−1·kg−1; 95% CI of difference [–1.71 to 0.97]; p=0.55; Cohen’s d=0.09), or conventional running shoes (42.04±4.68 vs. 41.74±5.09 mL·min−1·kg−1; 95% CI of difference [–0.78 to 1.37]; p=0.55; Cohen’s d=0.06). Small changes in step frequency (~4%) did not have any significant impact on RE.


2012 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 499-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheyne E. Donges ◽  
Rob Duffield

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 10 weeks of aerobic endurance training (AET), resistance exercise training (RET), or a control (CON) condition on absolute and relative fat mass (FM) or fat-free mass (FFM) in the total body (TB) and regions of interest (ROIs) of sedentary overweight middle-aged males and females. Following prescreening, 102 subjects underwent anthropometric measurements, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and strength and aerobic exercise testing. Randomized subjects (male RET, n = 16; female RET, n = 19; male AET, n = 16; and female AET, n = 25) completed supervised and periodized exercise programs (AET, 30–50 min cycling at 70%–75% maximal heart rate; RET, 2–4 sets × 8–10 repetitions of 5–7 exercises at 70%–75% 1 repetition maximum) or a nonexercising control condition (male CON, n = 13 and female CON, n = 13). Changes in absolute and relative TB-FM and TB-FFM and ROI-FM and ROI-FFM were determined. At baseline, and although matched for age and body mass index, males had greater strength, aerobic fitness, body mass, absolute and relative TB-FFM and ROI-FFM, but reduced absolute and relative TB-FM and ROI-FM, compared with females (p < 0.05). After training, both female exercise groups showed equivalent or greater relative improvements in strength and aerobic fitness than did the male exercise groups (p < 0.05); however, the male exercise groups increased TB-FFM and reduced TB-FM more than did the female exercise groups (p < 0.05). Male AET altered absolute FM more than male RET altered absolute FFM, thus resulting in a greater enhancement of relative FFM. Despite equivalent or greater responses to RET or AET by female subjects, the corresponding respective increases in FFM or reductions in FM were lower than those in males, indicating that a biased dose–response relationship exists between sexes following 10 weeks of exercise training.


2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fumiya Tanji ◽  
Yusuke Shirai ◽  
Toshiki Tsuji ◽  
Wataru Shimazu ◽  
Yoshiharu Nabekura

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 94 (4) ◽  
pp. 465-470
Author(s):  
Steven Shea ◽  
Charles E. Basch ◽  
Bernard Gutin ◽  
Aryeh D. Stein ◽  
Isobel R. Contento ◽  
...  

Objective. To determine whether changes in aerobic fitness and body mass index are related to the age-related rise in blood pressure in healthy preschool children. Study design. Longitudinal analyses of 196 free-living children aged 5 years at baseline who were followed over a mean of 19:7 months. Aerobic fitness was assessed using a treadmill All measures were obtained on multiple occasions at scheduled visits as part of a longitudinal cohort study. Setting. An inner-city medical center. Outcome measures. Blood pressure was measured using an automated Dinamap device. Results. Mean systolic blood pressure was 95.3 mmHg (SD 8.38) at baseline and increased by 4.46 mmHg per year. Mean diastolic blood pressure was 53.9 mmHg (SD 5.81) at baseline and did not change significantly. Children in the highest quintile of increase in fitness had a significantly smaller increase in systolic blood pressure compared to children in the lowest quintile (2.92 vs 5.10 mmHg/year; P = .03). Children in the lowest quintile of increase in body mass index did not differ significantly in rate of increase in systolic blood pressure compared to children in the highest quintile (3.92 vs 4.96 mmHg/year). In a multiple regression model including baseline systolic blood pressure, fitness, height, body mass index, and other covariates, greater increase in fitness (P = .03) and lesser increase in body mass index (P &lt; .01) were associated with lower rates of increase in systolic blood pressure. In a similar multivariate analysis, an increase in fitness was also associated with a lower rate of increase in diastolic blood pressure (P = .02) Conclusion. Young children who increase their aerobic fitness or decrease their body mass index reduce the rate of the age-related increase in blood pressure. These observations may have implications for development of interventions directed at the primary prevention of hypertension.


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