Dataset Information

Hip muscular strength balance is associated with running economy in recreationally-trained endurance runners.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The percentage of sustained maximal oxygen uptake and the running economy are important factors that determine the running success of endurance athletes. Running economy is defined as the oxygen uptake required to run at a given speed and depends on metabolic, cardiorespiratory, biomechanical, neuromuscular, and anthropometric factors. With regard to anthropometric characteristics, total body mass seems to be a crucial factor for the running economy. Moreover, neuromuscular components, especially knee muscular strength and the strength balance ratio, also seem to be critical for the running economy. In addition to knee muscle strength, hip muscle strength is also an important contributor to running performance on level or hilly ground. However, the relationship between running economy and the hip muscles is unknown. Thus the aim of the present study was to verify whether hip flexor and extensor isokinetic peak torque, the isokinetic strength balance ratio, total body mass and fat free mass were associated with running economy in both sexes and to compare sex differences in physical fitness and isokinetic strength characteristics.

Methods

A total of 24 male (31.0 ± 7.7 years, 176.2 ± 7.3 cm, and 70.4 ± 8.4 kg) and 15 female (31.3 ± 6.7 years, 162.9 ± 3.9 cm, and 56.0 ± 5.3 kg) recreationally-trained endurance runners were recruited. Maximal oxygen uptake, running economy, conventional (concentric flexors-to-concentric extensors) and functional (concentric flexors-to-eccentric extensors) hip isokinetic strength balance ratios, peak torque of the hip flexor and extensor muscles, total body mass, and fat-free mass were measured. Running economy was assessed on two separate days by means of the energy running cost (E_c) using a motorized treadmill at 10.0 and 12.0 km h^-1 (3% gradient) and 11.0 and 14.0 km h^-1 (1% gradient).

Results

The functional balance ratio was significantly and negatively associated with E_c at 11.0 (r = - 0.43, P = 0.04) and 12.0 km h^-1 (r = - 0.65, P = 0.04) when using a 3% gradient in male runners. Considering muscular strength, male runners only showed a significant relationship between E_c (assessed at 12 km h^-1 and a 3% gradient) and peak torque for extensor muscle eccentric action (r = 0.72, P = 0.04). For female runners, only peak torque relative to total body mass for extensor muscles (180° s^-1) was positively associated with E_c when assessed at 10 km h^-1 using a 3% gradient (r = 0.59, P = 0.03). No significant relationships were found between E_c and total body mass or fat-free mass.

Discussion

Given that the functional balance ratio was associated with a better E_c, coaches and athletes should consider implementing a specific strengthening program for hip flexor muscles to increase the functional ratio.

SUBMITTER: Silva WA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6063213 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Hip muscular strength balance is associated with running economy in recreationally-trained endurance runners.

Silva Wallace A WA de Lira Claudio Andre B CAB Vancini Rodrigo L RL Andrade Marilia S MS

PeerJ 20180724

<h4>Background</h4>The percentage of sustained maximal oxygen uptake and the running economy are important factors that determine the running success of endurance athletes. Running economy is defined as the oxygen uptake required to run at a given speed and depends on metabolic, cardiorespiratory, biomechanical, neuromuscular, and anthropometric factors. With regard to anthropometric characteristics, total body mass seems to be a crucial factor for the running economy. Moreover, neuromuscular co ...[more]

PMID: 30065859

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Project description:ContextRunning-related injuries are common in distance runners. Strength training is used for performance enhancement and injury prevention. However, the association between maximal strength and distance-running biomechanics is unclear.ObjectiveTo determine the relationship between maximal knee- and hip-extensor strength and running biomechanics previously associated with injury risk.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingResearch laboratory.Patients or other participantsA total of 36 collegiate distance runners (26 men, 10 women; age = 20.0 ± 1.5 years, height = 1.74 ± 0.09 m, mass = 61.97 ± 8.26 kg).Main outcome measure(s)Strength was assessed using the 1-repetition maximum (1RM) back squat and maximal voluntary isometric contractions of the knee extensors and hip extensors. Three-dimensional running biomechanics were assessed overground at a self-selected speed. Running variables were the peak instantaneous vertical loading rate; peak forward trunk-lean angle; knee-flexion, internal-rotation, and -abduction angles and internal moments; and hip-extension, internal-rotation, and -adduction angles and internal moments. Separate stepwise linear regression models were used to examine the associations between strength and biomechanical outcomes (ΔR2) after accounting for sex, running speed, and foot-strike index.ResultsGreater 1RM back-squat strength was associated with a larger peak knee-flexion angle (ΔR2 = 0.110, ΔP = .045) and smaller peak knee internal-rotation angle (ΔR2 = 0.127, ΔP = .03) and internal-rotation moment (ΔR2 = 0.129, ΔP = .03) after accounting for sex, speed, and foot-strike index. No associations were found between 1RM back-squat strength and vertical loading rate, trunk lean, or hip kinematics and kinetics. Hip- and knee-extensor maximal voluntary isometric contractions were also not associated with any biomechanical variables.ConclusionsGreater 1RM back-squat strength was weakly associated with a larger peak knee-flexion angle and smaller knee internal-rotation angle and moment in collegiate distance runners. Runners who are weaker in the back-squat exercise may exhibit running biomechanics associated with the development of knee-related injuries.

Project description:BackgroundRecently, 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.MethodsTwenty-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.ResultsAfter 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.ConclusionThis 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.

Dataset Information

Hip muscular strength balance is associated with running economy in recreationally-trained endurance runners.

Background

Methods

Results

Discussion

Publications

Hip muscular strength balance is associated with running economy in recreationally-trained endurance runners.

Similar Datasets

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