TY - JOUR
T1 - The effect of strength training on performance indicators in distance runners
AU - Beattie, Kris
AU - Carson, Brian P.
AU - Lyons, Mark
AU - Rossiter, Antonia
AU - Kenny, Ian C.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 National Strength and Conditioning Association.
PY - 2017
Y1 - 2017
N2 - Running economy (RE) and velocity at maximal oxygen uptake (VV O2max) are considered to be the best physiological performance indicators in elite distance runners. In addition to cardiovascular function, RE and VVO2max are partly dictated by neuromuscular factors. One technique to improve neuromuscular function in athletes is through strength training. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a 40-week strength training intervention on strength (maximal and reactive strength), VV O2max, economy, and body composition (body mass, fat, and lean mass) in competitive distance runners. Twenty competitive distance runners were divided into an intervention group (n = 11; 29.5 ± 10.0 years; 72.8 ± 6.6 kg; 1.83 ± 0.08 m) and a control group (n = 9; 27.4 ± 7.2 years; 70.2 ± 6.4 kg; 1.77 ± 0.04 m). During week 0, 20, and 40, each subject completed 3 assessments: physiology (V2 mmol$L21 BLa, V2 mmol L-1 BLa [blood lactate], V4 mmol L-1 BLa, RE, VVO2max, VO2max), strength (1 repetition maximum back squat; countermovement jump and 0.3 m drop jump), and body composition (body mass, fat mass, overall lean, and leg lean). The intervention group showed significant improvements in maximal and reactive strength qualities, RE, and VVO2max, at weeks 20 (p < 0.05) and 40 (p < 0.05). The control group showed no significant changes at either time point. There were no significant changes in body composition variables between or within groups. This study demonstrates that 40 weeks of strength training can significantly improve maximal and reactive strength qualities, RE, and VVO2max, without concomitant hypertrophy, in competitive distance runners.
AB - Running economy (RE) and velocity at maximal oxygen uptake (VV O2max) are considered to be the best physiological performance indicators in elite distance runners. In addition to cardiovascular function, RE and VVO2max are partly dictated by neuromuscular factors. One technique to improve neuromuscular function in athletes is through strength training. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a 40-week strength training intervention on strength (maximal and reactive strength), VV O2max, economy, and body composition (body mass, fat, and lean mass) in competitive distance runners. Twenty competitive distance runners were divided into an intervention group (n = 11; 29.5 ± 10.0 years; 72.8 ± 6.6 kg; 1.83 ± 0.08 m) and a control group (n = 9; 27.4 ± 7.2 years; 70.2 ± 6.4 kg; 1.77 ± 0.04 m). During week 0, 20, and 40, each subject completed 3 assessments: physiology (V2 mmol$L21 BLa, V2 mmol L-1 BLa [blood lactate], V4 mmol L-1 BLa, RE, VVO2max, VO2max), strength (1 repetition maximum back squat; countermovement jump and 0.3 m drop jump), and body composition (body mass, fat mass, overall lean, and leg lean). The intervention group showed significant improvements in maximal and reactive strength qualities, RE, and VVO2max, at weeks 20 (p < 0.05) and 40 (p < 0.05). The control group showed no significant changes at either time point. There were no significant changes in body composition variables between or within groups. This study demonstrates that 40 weeks of strength training can significantly improve maximal and reactive strength qualities, RE, and VVO2max, without concomitant hypertrophy, in competitive distance runners.
KW - Distance running
KW - Running economy
KW - Vvo2max
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85017491879&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1519/JSC.0000000000001464
DO - 10.1519/JSC.0000000000001464
M3 - Article
C2 - 27135468
AN - SCOPUS:85017491879
SN - 1064-8011
VL - 31
SP - 9
EP - 23
JO - Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
JF - Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
IS - 1
ER -