Peer Review #2 of "Effects of complex training versus heavy resistance training on neuromuscular adaptation, running economy and 5-km performance in well-trained distance runners (v0.1)"

Background Recently, much attention has been paid to the role of neuromuscular function in long-distance running performance. Complex Training (CT) is a combination training method that alternates between performing heavy resistance exercises and plyometric exercises within one single session, resulting in great improvement in neuromuscular adaptation. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of CT vs. heavy resistance training (HRT) on strength and power indicators, running economy (RE), and 5-km performance in well-trained male distance runners. Methods Twenty-eight well-trained male distance runners (19–23 years old, VO2max:65.78 ± 4.99 ml.kg−1.min−1) performed one pre-test consisting of: maximum strength (1RM), counter movement jump (CMJ) height, peak power, a drop jump (DJ), and RE assessments, and blood lactate concentration (BLa) measurement at the speeds from 12–16 km.h−1, a 50-m sprint, and a 5-km running performance test. They were then divided into 3 groups: complex training group (CT, n = 10), that performed complex training and endurance training; heavy resistance training group (HRT, n = 9) that performed heavy strength training and endurance training; and control group (CON, n = 9) that performed strength-endurance training and endurance training. After the 8 weeks training intervention, all participants completed a post-test to investigate the training effects on the parameters measured. Results After training intervention, both the CT and HRT groups had improvements in: 1RM strength (16.88%, p < 0.001; 18.80%, p < 0.001, respectively), CMJ height (11.28%, p < 0.001; 8.96%, p < 0.001, respectively), 14 km.h−1RE (−7.68%, p < 0.001; −4.89%, p = 0.009, respectively), 50-m sprints (−2.26%, p = 0.003; −2.14%, p = 0.007, respectively) and 5-km running performance (−2.80%, p < 0.001; −2.09%, p < 0.001, respectively). The CON group did not show these improvements. All three training groups showed improvement in the 12 km.h−1RE (p ≤ 0.01). Only the CT group exhibited increases in DJ height (12.94%, p < 0.001), reactive strength index (19.99%, p < 0.001), 16 km.h−1 RE (−7.38%, p < 0.001), and a reduction of BLa concentrations at the speed of 16 km.h−1 (−40.80%, p < 0.001) between pre- and post-tests. Conclusion This study demonstrated that CT can enhance 1RM strength, CMJ height, 12 and 14 km.h−1REs, 50-m sprints and 5-km running performances in well-trained male distance runners and may be superior to HRT for the development of reactive strength and 16 km.h−1RE, and reduction of BLa concentrations at speed of 16 km.h−1. Young male distance runners could integrate CT into their programs to improve the running performance.

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Concurrent speed endurance and resistance training improves performance, running economy, and muscle NHE1 in moderately trained runners

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/japplphysiol.01226.2013 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 117 (10) ◽

pp. 1097-1109 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

Casper Skovgaard ◽

Peter M. Christensen ◽

Sonni Larsen ◽

Thomas Rostgaard Andersen ◽

Martin Thomassen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Resistance Training ◽

Muscle Strength ◽

Running Economy ◽

Concurrent Training ◽

Performance Improvements ◽

Heavy Resistance Training ◽

Short And Long Term ◽

Endurance Runners ◽

Trained Runners

The purpose of this study was to examine whether speed endurance training (SET, repeated 30-s sprints) and heavy resistance training (HRT, 80–90% of 1 repetition maximum) performed in succession are compatible and lead to performance improvements in moderately trained endurance runners. For an 8-wk intervention period (INT) 23 male runners [maximum oxygen uptake (V̇o2max) 59 ± 1 ml·min−1·kg−1; values are means ± SE] either maintained their training (CON, n = 11) or performed high-intensity concurrent training (HICT, n = 12) consisting of two weekly sessions of SET followed by HRT and two weekly sessions of aerobic training with an average reduction in running distance of 42%. After 4 wk of HICT, performance was improved ( P < 0.05) in a 10-km run (42:30 ± 1:07 vs. 44:11 ± 1:08 min:s) with no further improvement during the last 4 wk. Performance in a 1,500-m run (5:10 ± 0:05 vs. 5:27 ± 0:08 min:s) and in the Yo-Yo IR2 test (706 ± 97 vs. 491 ± 65 m) improved ( P < 0.001) only following 8 wk of INT. In HICT, running economy (189 ± 4 vs. 195 ± 4 ml·kg−1·km−1), muscle content of NHE1 (35%) and dynamic muscle strength was augmented ( P < 0.01) after compared with before INT, whereas V̇o2max, muscle morphology, capillarization, content of muscle Na+/K+ pump subunits, and MCT4 were unaltered. No changes were observed in CON. The present study demonstrates that SET and HRT, when performed in succession, lead to improvements in both short- and long-term running performance together with improved running economy as well as increased dynamic muscle strength and capacity for muscular H+ transport in moderately trained endurance runners.

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Physiologic Comparison of Adolescent Female and Male Cross-Country Runners

Pediatric Exercise Science ◽

10.1123/pes.2.4.313 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 2 (4) ◽

pp. 313-321 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Lee N. Cunningham

Keyword(s):

Ventilatory Threshold ◽

Maximal Oxygen Consumption ◽

Laboratory Data ◽

Female Adolescent ◽

Running Economy ◽

Adolescent Male ◽

Distance Runners ◽

Male And Female ◽

Cross Country ◽

Cross Country Runners

To compare the physiologic differences between adolescent male and female cross-country runners, 12 male and 12 female high school nonelite distance runners who had competed successfully at the All State 5-km championship cross-country meet were tested in the laboratory. Data were analyzed in relation to maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), ventilatory threshold (VT), and running economy (RE). Male runners were taller, heavier, had less body fat, and ran faster by 2 minutes and 18 seconds than female runners. Running economy was similar between gender. VO2 at a 215 m•min−1 pace was 46.7 ml•kg−1•min−1 for male runners and 47.8 ml•kg−1•min−1 for female runners. At the VT, males demonstrated a higher VO2 and treadmill velocity than females. Heart rate, percent HR max, and percent VO2 max at the VT were not different between gender. Males demonstrated a higher VO2 max of 74.6 versus 66.1 ml•kg−1•min−1 than female runners. The fractional utilization of VO2 at race pace was not different between males (90%) and females (91%). In conclusion, the primary physiologic determinant for performance differences between nonelite, competitive male and female adolescent distance runners is associated with VO2 max.

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Physiological factors affecting performance in elite distance runners

Acta Kinesiologiae Universitatis Tartuensis ◽

10.12697/akut.2016.22.01 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 22 ◽

pp. 7 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Leif Inge Tjelta ◽

Shaher A. I. Shalfawi

Keyword(s):

Oxygen Uptake ◽

Energy System ◽

Running Economy ◽

Distance Runners ◽

Energy Contribution ◽

Physiological Factors ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Air Resistance ◽

Factors Affecting Performance ◽

Response To Exercise

Running distances from 3000 m to the marathon (42 195 m) are events dominated by energy contribution of the aerobic energy system. The physiological factors that underlie success in these running events are maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), running economy (RE), the utilization of the maximum oxygen uptake (%VO2max) and velocity at the anaerobic threshold (vAT). VO2max for distance runners competing on an international level has been between 70 and 87 ml/kg/min in men, and between 60 and 78.7 ml/kg/min in women, respectively. Due to lack of air resistance, laboratory testing of RE and vAT are recommended to be conducted on treadmill with 1% slope. %VO2max are in most studies expressed as the average fractional utilization of VO2max at vAT. Much of the current understanding regarding the response to exercise is based on studies of untrained and moderately trained individuals. To use this knowledge to give training recommendations to elite runners is hardly valid. Researchers should therefore exercise caution when giving training recommendations to coaches and elite distance runners based on limited available research.

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Does Metabolic Rate Increase Linearly with Running Speed in all Distance Runners?

Sports Medicine International Open ◽

10.1055/s-0043-122068 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 02 (01) ◽

pp. E1-E8 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Matthew Batliner ◽

Shalaya Kipp ◽

Alena Grabowski ◽

Rodger Kram ◽

William Byrnes

Keyword(s):

Oxygen Uptake ◽

Metabolic Rate ◽

Perceived Exertion ◽

Running Economy ◽

Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽

Distance Runners ◽

Cost Of Transport ◽

Linear Relationships ◽

Distance Running Performance ◽

Elite Runners

AbstractRunning economy (oxygen uptake or metabolic rate for running at a submaximal speed) is one of the key determinants of distance running performance. Previous studies reported linear relationships between oxygen uptake or metabolic rate and speed, and an invariant cost of transport across speed. We quantified oxygen uptake, metabolic rate, and cost of transport in 10 average and 10 sub-elite runners. We increased treadmill speed by 0.45 m·s−1 from 1.78 m·s−1 (day 1) and 2.01 m·s−1 (day 2) during each subsequent 4-min stage until reaching a speed that elicited a rating of perceived exertion of 15. Average runners’ oxygen uptake and metabolic rate vs. speed relationships were best described by linear fits. In contrast, the sub-elite runners’ relationships were best described by increasing curvilinear fits. For the sub-elites, oxygen cost of transport and energy cost of transport increased by 12.8% and 9.6%, respectively, from 3.58 to 5.14 m·s−1. Our results indicate that it is not possible to accurately predict metabolic rates at race pace for sub-elite competitive runners from data collected at moderate submaximal running speeds (2.68–3.58 m·s−1). To do so, metabolic rate should be measured at speeds that approach competitive race pace and curvilinear fits should be used for extrapolation to race pace.

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