Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of continuous moderate-intensity and discontinuous high-intensity training on running performance in master runners.Methods: Thirty-four male master runners (47.2 ± 7.4 years) were assigned to three different groups: continuous moderate-intensity training (CMIT), discontinuous high-intensity training (DHIT), and control group (CON). CMIT and DHIT performed 8-week of supervised training (3 session·wk−1; ~35 km·wk−1) while CON maintained their normal training habits (3–4 session·wk−1; ~50 km·wk−1). Peak oxygen consumption (O2peak) and peak running speed (vpeak) during incremental treadmill exercise, gas exchange threshold (GET), speed at GET, energy cost of running (Cr), and 5-km performance were evaluated before and after training.Results: Following the training period, both CMIT and DHIT significantly reduced Cr (−4.4 and −4.9%, respectively, P < 0.05), increased speed at GET (3.4 and 5.7%, P < 0.05) and improved 5-km time-trial performance (3.1 and 2.2%, P < 0.05) whereas no differences were found for O2peak and GET (as %O2peak). After training, vpeak improved only for DHIT (6%, P < 0.05). No differences were found in any variable for CON.Conclusions: This study indicates that both CMIT and DHIT may positively affect running performance in middle-aged master runners. This improvement was achieved despite a significant reduction of the amount of weekly training volume.
Highlights
Master athletes are typically defined as men and women older than 35 years who continue physical training throughout life and compete in organized events
V peak oxygen consumption (O2peak) did not change in all groups (CMIT 47.6 ± 4.2 vs. 48.0 ± 6.5 mL·kg−1·min−1, CI 95% −2.2 to 2.9, ES 0.08 trivial; discontinuous high-intensity training (DHIT) 48.8 ± 5.5 vs. 49.0 ± 4.4 mL·kg−1·min−1, CI 95% −2.3 to 2.8, ES 0.05 trivial; control group (CON) 48.4 ± 4.4 vs. 48.3 ± 4.0 mL·kg−1·min−1, CI 95% −2.6 to 2.5, ES 0.02 trivial, at participants were tested before (PRE) and after training (POST), respectively)
Vpeak was significantly higher in POST only in DHIT (16.4 ± 1.8 vs. 17.4 ± 1.3 km·h−1, CI 95% 0.3 to 1.7, ES 0.62 moderate, at PRE and POST, respectively; P = 0.015) whereas no differences were found for continuous training at low- to moderate-intensity (CMIT) (16.4 ± 1.5 vs. 16.9 ± 1.4 km·h−1, CI 95% −0.2 to 1.2, ES 0.31 small, at PRE and POST, respectively) and CON (16.3 ± 1.9 vs. 16.5 ± 1.6 km·h−1, CI 95% −0.5 to 0.9, ES 0.12 trivial, at PRE and POST, respectively; Figure 1)
Summary
Master athletes are typically defined as men and women older than 35 years who continue physical training throughout life and compete in organized events. The number of masters athletes involved in sport activities is continuously increasing, in long-distance running events (Tanaka and Seals, 2008). Exercise performance inevitably declines with aging despite regular training and participation in sporting competitions (Donato et al, 2003; Reaburn and Dascombe, 2008; Tanaka and Seals, 2008; Brisswalter and Nosaka, 2013). V O2max seems to be the major determinant of this decrease whereas running economy and lactate threshold, when expressed relative to the percentage of V O2max, appear well preserved with aging (Reaburn and Dascombe, 2008; Tanaka and Seals, 2008; Brisswalter and Nosaka, 2013). The increased prevalence of exercise training-associated injuries in this population probably contributes to their reduced training intensity and volume (Reaburn and Dascombe, 2008)
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