AN EXAMINATION OF FLEXIBILITY AND RUNNING ECONOMY IN FEMALE COLLEGIATE TRACK ATHLETES

Abstract

Limited information exists regarding the association between flexibility and running economy in female athletes. The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between lower limb and trunk flexibility and running economy in female collegiate track athletes (n = 10; age = 19.8 ± 2.15 yr). Subjects completed four testing sessions over a 1-week period. The first session assessed maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max = 52.53 ± 6.53 ml·kg·−1min−1). The second session assessed trunk and lower limb flexibility. Two sets of eight flexibility measures (trunk rotation, side bend, quadriceps stretch, standing external hip rotation with hip flexion at 90°, sit-and-reach, hip flexion, dorsiflexion, plantar flexion) were performed after a 10-min treadmill warm-up at 2.01 m·sec−1. The third session consisted of three 10-min accommodation runs at a speed of 2.01 m·sec−1 which was approximately 70% VO2max. The fourth session assessed running economy. Subjects completed a 5-min warm-up at 2.01 m·sec−1 followed by a 10-min run at 2.01 m·sec−1. Results revealed that repeated measures of flexibility were highly correlated. Correlational analyses revealed that right trunk rotation (r = 0.634, p < 0.01) and left trunk rotation (r = 0.789, p < 0.05) significantly correlated with running economy. Results suggest that subjects with greater trunk rotation were more economical than subjects with less trunk rotation. Results support general beliefs that improved flexibility is desirable for enhanced running economy.