Strategies to improve running economy in trained distance runners

Kyle Barnes

Auckland University of Technology

2014

Auckland University of Technology

Andrew Kilding Phone: 09 921 9999 x 7056  Email: andrew.kilding@aut.ac.nz

Running economy is considered an important physiological measure for endurance athletes, especially distance runners. Of the numerous metabolic, cardiopulmonary, biomechanical and neuromuscular characteristics contributing to running economy, it seems that few are subject to alteration or improvement through training or other interventions. Over the past decade, various strategies to improve running economy have been investigated, but the evidence supporting different forms of movement-specific resistance exercises is limited and conflicting. Furthermore, there is a paucity of data evaluating the subsequent effects of changes in running economy on actual running performance. Given a range of mechanisms have been described as meditators to explain changes in running economy (Chapter 2) following various training strategies (Chapter 3) the initial aim of this thesis was to describe the determinants of running economy in a population analogous to that of which would participate in the ensuing experimental studies (Chapter 4). To determine factors and to assess the efficacy of different movement-specific resistance strategies to improve running economy and running performance, one descriptive and three experimental studies were conducted with a variety of methodological approaches to address the main aim of this thesis: to examine the relative efficacy of different forms of movement-specific resistance exercise to improve running economy and performance in competitive distance runners.

Keywords:Running economy, Running performance

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Mixed-method

Auckland

Thesis

Published

Physical activity

Adults

Other setting

Benefits, Delivery, Performance, Professionals

Running/jogging

1659

July 30, 2014