Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the acute metabolic effects of different magnitudes of wearable resistance (WR) attached to the thigh during submaximal running. Twenty endurance-trained runners (40.8 ± 8.2 years, 1.77 ± 0.7 m, 75.4 ± 9.2 kg) completed six submaximal eight-minute running trials unloaded and with WRs of 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5% body mass (BM), in a random order. The use of a WR resulted in a 1.6 ± 0.6% increase in oxygen consumption (VO2) for every 1% BM of additional load. Inferential based analysis found that the loading of ≥3% BM was needed to elicit any substantial responses in VO2, with an increase that was likely to be moderate in scale (effect size (ES) ± 90% confidential interval (CI): 0.24 ± 0.07). Using heart rate data, a training load score was extrapolated to quantify the amount of internal stress. For every 1% BM of WR, there is an extra 0.17 ± 0.06 estimated increase in training load. A WR ≥3% of BM was needed to elicit substantial responses in lactate production, with an increase which was very likely to be large in scale (ES ± 90% CI: 0.41 ± 0.18). A thigh-positioned WR provides a running-specific overload with loads ≥3% BM, resulting in substantial changes in metabolic responses.
Highlights
Endurance running attracts millions of participants both recreationally and competitively across the globe
The mean oxygen consumption of submaximal running at 1% body mass (BM) was 3.67 L (±0.59) with an increase of 1.7% (±0.01), this resulted in a likely trivial increase (0.13 ± 0.08) (Table 1)
Linear regression was carried out and showed a positive relationship (R2 = 0.96), representing an additional 1.59% (±0.62%) increase in oxygen consumption for every 1% BM of additional load
Summary
Endurance running attracts millions of participants both recreationally and competitively across the globe. Modifiable factors, such as training, play a vital role in enhancing the qualities that determine running performance. In recreational distance runners, heavy resistance, explosive resistance and muscle endurance resistance training have been found to significantly improve running performance [5]. It is the objective of the practitioner to fully understand the appropriate training determinants and to be able to effectively and efficiently program training, ensuring the optimal transfer to performance and the minimization of injuries. The concepts of progressive overload and specificity become more important
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