Deakin University
Browse

File(s) not publicly available

Reduced training volume and intensity maintain aerobic capacity but not performance in distance runners

Version 2 2024-06-13, 09:54
Version 1 2017-04-28, 15:31
journal contribution
posted on 2024-06-13, 09:54 authored by GK McConell, DL Costill, JJ Widrick, MS Hickey, H Tanaka, PB Gastin
It has recently been shown that a 70% reduction in training volume, while maintaining training intensity, results in the maintenance of VO2 max and 5 km running performance in distance runners. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a 4 wk reduction in training volume and intensity in distance runners. Ten well-conditioned males (VO2max = 63.4 +/- 1.3 ml.kg-1 x min-1) underwent 4 wks of base training (BT) at their accustomed training distance (71.8 +/- 3.6 km.wk-1) and intensity (76% of total distance > 70% VO2max). Training volume (-66%), frequency (-50%), and intensity (all running < 70% VO2max) were then decreased for a 4 wk reduced training period (RT). Treadmill VO2max was unchanged with RT (p > 0.05) as were resting plasma volume, estimated from haemoglobin and haematocrit levels, and resting heart rate (HR). Submaximal treadmill exercise VO2 (l.min-1), ventilation and HR were also unchanged, however, submaximal exercise RER and blood lactate accumulation following 4 mins at 95% VO2max (8.39 vs 9.89 mmol.l-1) were significantly elevated by RT (p < 0.05). Estimated percent body fat also increased (10.4% vs 11.8%) (p < 0.05). Five km race completion time significantly increased from 16.6 +/- 0.3 mins at week 4 of BT to 16.8 +/- 0.3 mins (12 seconds) at week 4 of RT. Nine of the 10 subjects were slower after RT. It is concluded that aerobic capacity was maintained in these runners, despite the combined reduction in training volume and intensity. However, it appears that training intensity during RT is important for the maintenance of 5 km running performance.

History

Journal

International journal of sports medicine

Volume

14

Pagination

33-37

Location

Stuttgart, Germany

ISSN

0172-4622

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

1993, Georg Thieme Verlag

Issue

1

Publisher

Thieme Medical Publishers