PHYSIOLOGICAL DETERMINANTS OF SHORT TRAIL RUNNING

Myrsini S Kolyfa,Anastasia Tzimou,Nikolaos D Geladas,Polyxeni Argeitaki,Georgios P Paradisis,Elias D Zacharogiannis

doi:10.46827/ejpe.v7i5.4071

Myrsini S Kolyfa, Anastasia Tzimou + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejpe.v7i5.4071

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Abstract

The recent worldwide popularity of trail running has raised the necessity of studying the physiological profile of this sport. Although trail running races are long distance endurance events, the variety of their terrain, incline and duration prevents the application of the classical predictive model of level running. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the physiological and anthropometric parameters that determine short trail race performance. Twenty-five moderately trained trail runners participated in a 15 km trail running race, consisting of 9 km positive and 6 km negative incline. Four days after the race they followed a laboratory protocol for the measurement and estimation of anthropometric and physiological parameters (maximal oxygen uptake, velocity at maximal oxygen uptake, ventilatory threshold, velocity at ventilatory threshold, running economy, flexibility, muscle power, aerobic capacity). The results revealed high correlations between the 15 km race performance and velocity at maximal oxygen uptake (r = 0.81), ventilatory threshold (r = 0.88), muscle power of knee extensor (r = 0.50 – 0.53), anaerobic capacity (r = 0.65) and body fat percentage (r = 0.7). Another two parameters that were highly correlated with the 15 km mountain trail race performance were both the positive and negative incline time (r = 0.95 and r = 0.96, respectively). Our conclusions confirmed previous findings that performance in trail running cannot be predicted with the same variable model as level running. Article visualizations:<img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0985/a.php" alt="Hit counter" />

Highlights

Trail running (TR) is a new sport
From the anthropometric parameters only percentage of body fat was significantly correlated with the 15 km race time (r = 0.699, p < 0.001)
The main finding of the study was that short trail running performance can be accurately predicted by a combination of the physiological parameters of the “classical model” and neuromuscular characteristics that allow athletes to sustain pacing through the demanding trail terrain

Summary

Introduction

Trail running (TR) is a new sport. According to the definition of the International Trail Running Association (2019), a trail race has to involve running over short to long or extreme distances on irregular terrain with large positive and negative elevation changes. The positive relationship between cardiovascular parameters such as maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max), ventilatory threshold (VT), running economy (RE) and endurance performance is well established (Costill et al, 1973; Daniels, 1985; Morgan et al, 1989). The majority of the studies which have investigated the prediction factors of performance in races from 5 km to ultramarathon support the “classical model” (Joyner, 1991) especially when they are expressed in velocity terms [velocity of maximal oxygen uptake (vVO2 max), and velocity ventilatory threshold (vVT); Abad et al, 2016; Abe et al, 1998; Mclaughlin et al, 2010; Scott & Houmard, 1994; Sjodin & Jacobs, 1981; Sjodin & Svedenhag, 1985; Stratton et al, 2009). There is evidence that body composition and especially fat-free mass is a significant performance parameter (Bale et al, 1985; Gomez-Molina et al, 2017; Hagan et al, 1981; Knechtle et al, 2011; Oguela-Alday et al, 2018)

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