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Shaw et al EJSS 2018 Accepted manuscript.pdf (194.14 kB)

The efficacy of downhill running as a method to enhance running economy in trained distance runners

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journal contribution
posted on 2018-05-04, 13:51 authored by Andrew J. Shaw, Stephen A. Ingham, Jonathan FollandJonathan Folland
© 2018 European College of Sport Science Running downhill, in comparison to running on the flat, appears to involve an exaggerated stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) due to greater impact loads and higher vertical velocity on landing, whilst also incurring a lower metabolic cost. Therefore, downhill running could facilitate higher volumes of training at higher speeds whilst performing an exaggerated SSC, potentially inducing favourable adaptations in running mechanics and running economy (RE). This investigation assessed the efficacy of a supplementary 8-week programme of downhill running as a means of enhancing RE in well-trained distance runners. Nineteen athletes completed supplementary downhill (−5% gradient; n = 10) or flat (n = 9) run training twice a week for 8 weeks within their habitual training. Participants trained at a standardised intensity based on the velocity of lactate turnpoint (vLTP), with training volume increased incrementally between weeks. Changes in energy cost of running (E C ) and vLTP were assessed on both flat and downhill gradients, in addition to maximal oxygen uptake (⩒O 2max). No changes in E C were observed during flat running following downhill (1.22 ± 0.09 vs 1.20 ± 0.07 Kcal kg −1  km −1 , P = .41) or flat run training (1.21 ± 0.13 vs 1.19 ± 0.12 Kcal kg −1  km −1 ). Moreover, no changes in E C during downhill running were observed in either condition (P  >  .23). vLTP increased following both downhill (16.5 ± 0.7 vs 16.9 ± 0.6 km h −1 ,P = .05) and flat run training (16.9 ± 0.7 vs 17.2 ± 1.0 km h −1 , P = .05), though no differences in responses were observed between groups (P = .53). Therefore, a short programme of supplementary downhill run training does not appear to enhance RE in already well-trained individuals.

Funding

This work was supported by the British Milers Club’ through the Horwill research scholarship programme.

History

School

  • Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences

Published in

European Journal of Sport Science

Citation

SHAW, A.J., INGHAM, S.A. and FOLLAND, J.P., 2018. The efficacy of downhill running as a method to enhance running economy in trained distance runners. European Journal of Sport Science, 18(5), pp. 630-638.

Publisher

© European College of Sport Science. Published by Taylor and Francis

Version

  • AM (Accepted Manuscript)

Publisher statement

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in European Journal of Sport Science on 21 March 2018, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/17461391.2018.1449892.

Publication date

2018-03-21

ISSN

1746-1391

eISSN

1536-7290

Language

  • en