Quantification method influences training load change in high school cross-country runners across a competitive season

Context: Running programs traditionally monitor external loads (e.g., time, distance). There has been a recent movement to encompass a more comprehensive approach to also monitor training loads that account for internal loads (e.g., intensity, measured as session rating of perceived exertion [sRPE]). The combination of an external and internal load accounts for the potential interaction between these loads. While differences in weekly change in training loads have been reported between external loads and the combination of an external and internal load during 2- and 4-week training cycles, there are no reports whether these differences are apparent during an entire cross-country season in high school runners. Objective: To compare change in training loads, as measured by external loads and combinations of an external and internal load, in high school runners during an interscholastic cross-country season. Design: Case-series. Setting: Community-based with daily online surveys. Participants: Twenty-four high school cross-country runners (female=14, male=10, age=15.9±1.1 years, running experience=9.9±3.2 years). Main Outcome Measure(s): Week-to-week percent change in training load when measured by external loads (time, distance) and the combination of an external and internal load (timeRPE, distanceRPE). Results: Overall, the average weekly change was 7.1% greater for distanceRPE compared to distance (p=.04, d=0.18). When decreasing weekly running duration, the average weekly change was 5.2% greater for distanceRPE compared to timeRPE (p=.03, d=0.24). When maintaining or increasing weekly running duration, the average weekly change was 10–15% greater when an external load was combined with an internal load compared to external loads alone, but these differences were non- significant (p=.11–.22, d=0.19–0.34). Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that progression in training load may be underestimated when relying solely on external loads. The interaction between internal loads (sRPE) and external loads (distance or time) appears to provide a different measure of training stresses experienced by runners than external loads alone.

Isolation and Identification of Dermatophytes from Collegiate Runners

Competitive runners experience various risk factors that render them more susceptible to superficial cutaneous fungal infections, including the use of occlusive footwear, shared locker rooms, submission of feet to constant maceration, trauma, sweating, and having depressed immune function. The goal of this work was to assess the prevalence of athlete’s foot fungi in cross country runners at St. John Fisher College. Toe webs of 16 collegiate runners were sampled and volunteers surveyed about their shoe habits, foot hygiene, and average miles run per week. Lack of tinea pedis-causing fungi in asymptomatic cross- country runners shifted the study to investigate the identities of fungi morphologically similar to athlete’s foot and look for correlations with volunteers’ running habits and hygiene. Thirty-five distinct fungal cultures were isolated and compared to a known Trichophyton rubrum strain both microscopically and macroscopically. Four samples were preliminarily identified as tinea pedis-causing fungi and sequenced to confirm molecular identification. Fungal DNA was isolated, purified, and PCR amplified using primers for the internal transcribed spacer region, D1/D2 region of the 28S subunit, and β-Tubulin gene. Three of the four isolates were identified as Fusarium equiseti, a soil-borne plant pathogen with rare human pathogenicity reported. The fourth isolate was Beauveria bassiana, a common soil-borne pathogen that can infect immunocompromised individuals. Correct dermatophytic identification and understanding of the interplay between species is important to provide correct treatment, prevent spread among athletes and within facilities, and determine how opportunistic pathogens might play a role in people with immune suppressed function, which includes runners.

Longitudinal Changes in Running Gait Asymmetries and Their Relationship to Personal Record Race Times in Collegiate Cross Country Runners

Minimizing between-limb asymmetries during running is often a goal of training, as increased asymmetries are related to decreased efficiency and increased energy expenditure. However, it is unknown if asymmetries change with increased running exposure or are related to actual race performance. The purpose of this study was to determine (1) if pre-season asymmetries changed year-to-year among collegiate cross country runners, and (2) if these asymmetries were associated with within-season personal records (PRs). Pre-season biomechanical test results and race performance data were analyzed for 54 unique runners (28 female) across six seasons, totaling 152 assessments (age: 19.1 (0.9) years, height: 1.71 (0.10) m, weight: 61.7 (7.7) kg (values = mean [standard deviation])). Biomechanical asymmetries included ground reaction forces; ground contact time; base of gait; foot inclination angle; and peak hip flexion, hip extension, hip adduction, pelvic drop, knee flexion, and ankle dorsiflexion. Year of collegiate eligibility was used to quantify training exposure. Asymmetries during running did not change across years of eligibility (p ≥ 0.12), except propulsive impulse, which decreased over time (p = 0.03). PR times were faster with decreased propulsive impulse asymmetry and increased AVLR and peak ankle dorsiflexion asymmetries. This is the first study to assess longitudinal asymmetries over time and provide potential targets for interventions aimed at modifying asymmetries to improve performance.

Earth(l)y pleasures and air-borne bodies: Elemental haptics in women's cross-country running

A rich and multi-stranded sociology of sporting embodiment has begun to emerge in recent years. Calls have been made to analyze more deeply not only the sensory dimensions of lived sporting bodies but also the values prevailing within particular physical–cultural worlds. This article contributes to a small, developing research corpus by employing theoretical perspectives drawn from phenomenological sociology to explore cross-country runners' sensory encounters with the elemental, contoured by the values of the running lifeworlds they inhabit. Autoethnographic and autophenomenographic data were collected via three research projects. Senses of touch still remain under-researched within the sporting sensorium, and here we focus on the “elemental haptics” of earth and air on our cross-country training runs. We also explore the rich, complex somatic experiences afforded by various of these elemental combinations. For runners, as for many sports participants, the haptic emerges as a key aspect of our sensuous running lifeworld.

Normative measures of hip strength and relation to previous injury in collegiate cross-country runners

Context: Running related injury occurs frequently in collegiate cross-country runners. Hip strength is one factor that may be important in the rehabilitation and training of cross-country runners. However, no normative values exist to inform these strategies. Objective: Establish normative values for hip abduction and external rotation isometric strength in collegiate cross-country runners and explore the association between strength and previous injury. Design: Mixed methods using descriptive epidemiology and retrospective cross-sectional designs. Setting: University Laboratory Patients or Other Participants: Eighty-two NCAA Division III cross-country runners (38 males, 44 females) participated in this study. Main Outcome Measure(s): Isometric hip strength and reported injury Results: Males demonstrated greater absolute hip strength than females. Measures of hip strength were not different between sexes when normalized to height and mass. Hip abduction asymmetry was associated with previous injury in males. A combination of at least one leg with hip abduction weakness and bilateral external rotation weakness was associated with previous injury in females. Conclusions: Knowledge of normative values of hip strength may help inform rehabilitation strategies in collegiate cross-country runners. Males and females may demonstrate differing strength profiles following running related injury.

Factors Associated With Self-Selected Step Rates Between Collegiate and High School Cross Country Runners

Introduction: Cross country is a popular high school and collegiate sport with a high rate of running-related injuries (RRI). Among high school runners, higher step rates have been associated with greater running experience and decreased body height, and lower step rates have been prospectively associated with increased risk of shin RRI. These associations have not been reported in collegiate cross country runners. The purpose of this study was to compare step rates between collegiate and high school cross country runners. Secondary objectives included determining if step rates in collegiate runners were related to experience and anthropometric variables, and whether their self-selected step rates were prospectively related to lower extremity RRI.Materials and methods: Twenty-nine NCAA Division III collegiate cross country runners (13 females, mean ± SD age 19.7 ± 1.3 years) completed a survey and ran at their self-selected speed. Step rate was assessed with Polar RCX5 wristwatches and S3+ Stride Sensors™ on the first day of the season. Runners were followed during the season for occurrence of time-loss lower extremity RRI. A cohort of 68 high school runners was used for comparison of step rates at their self-selected speeds.Results: Collegiate runners' self-selected step rates (177.1 ± 7.2 spm [steps per minute]) were higher than high school runners' (171.3 ± 8.3 spm) (p = 0.01). Collegiate runners ran at higher self-selected speeds (4.6 ± 0.5 m/s) than the high school runners (3.8 ± 0.5 m/s) (p < 0.001). A lower percentage of collegiate runners ran at ≤166 spm than high school runners. Body mass was negatively correlated with step rate in collegiate runners. During the season, 41.3% of collegiate runners experienced lower extremity RRI. Step rates for collegiate runners who did not experience RRI (178.9 ± 7.7 spm) were not significantly higher than runners who did experience RRI (174.5 ± 5.7 spm) (p = 0.10).Discussion: Higher step rates were found in collegiate than high school runners, but the difference was partially explained by higher self-selected running speeds. Thus, variations in step rate between high school and collegiate runners may be expected based on experience, speed, and body mass.

Runner’s Health Choices Questionnaire: Male College Cross-Country Runners’ Perspectives on Health and Eating

Context: Competitive cross-country runners train at much higher loads and with greater demands than recreational runners, posing a unique set of physiological and psychological challenges. Thus, identification of factors influencing health and nutritional choices in male cross-country runners is needed to help combat energy-related health issues. Purpose: To assess male college cross-country runners’ perspectives regarding sport-related health and the factors impacting their eating behaviors. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Participants/Methods: The Runner’s Health Choices Questionnaire was distributed to male college cross-country runners. Responses were analyzed using quantitative descriptive statistics. Results: One hundred nineteen runners completed the survey. Runners reported a diverse range of factors impacting eating and health behaviors from athletic performance enhancement to enjoyment of food. Less than 6% of athletes ranked athletic trainer, registered dietitian, or physician as often consulted for nutrition/health information. However, 75% of runners said they would be somewhat likely or very likely to make dietary or health changes if given new or additional information by a health care provider. Conclusion: Male cross-country runners appear to try to balance a global desire to be healthy with individual preferences. Athletes may be receptive to nutritional education that utilizes a biopsychosocial model with mental and psychological health support, and intentional effort is needed to support runners’ overall health.