Relationship between biomechanical and psychophysiological indicators and performance in a vertical mountain race

Abstract

In order to know the relationship between biomechanical and psychophysiological indicators, as well as the possible pre-post psychophysiological differences and the use of poles in the uphill performance on mountain runners, we performed a prospective and descriptive study of one vertical mountain race. Thus, it was analysed biomechanical (speed and strength/power manifestations) and psychophysiological variables (lactate, heart rate and subjective perception of fatigue) with a total of nine (n = 9) experienced runners divided into groups to use (n = 4) or not (n = 5) poles during the race. Nonparametric analyses were performed to observe the correlations between variables, the differences between groups and the differences between the psychophysiological values before and after the test. The results do not present significant (p < 0.05) differences or correlations of performance between those that used poles or not. There are significant differences between the psychophysiological variables pre and post, in addition they show correlations of performance (final time and relation of time with the first classified) with higher mean and maximum heart rate, as well as a lower lactate accumulation. It is concluded that a better performance in a mountain vertical race is associated to higher physiological efficiency but not to greater strength and power jump manifestations in trained runners.