The Effect of fast and slow pace training on running economy
Date
1995
Authors
McCluskey, Paddy
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Abstract
Running economy is a measure of energy expenditure at a fixed load and is measured at submaximal velocities using steady state VO2(SSVO2). If the principle of temporal specificity is applicable to running training, then changes in running economy should be specific to the pace used in training. The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effect of a fast pace and a slow pace training regimen on running economy at submaximal, threshold, and 3000m performance velocities. Sixteen well trained runners were separated into two groups (N = 8) and undertook similar training that differed only in the speed of their pace workouts. The Fast Pace group (FP; 21.4 yrs, 58.5kg, 59.8mL·kg-1·min-1) did pace workouts at 65 seconds per 400m or faster which was quicker than their 3000m performance pace; the Slow Pace group (SP; 20.8 yrs, 69.2kg, 69.lmL·kg-1min-1) performed their pace workouts at 66 seconds per 400m or slower which was similar to their 3000m performance pace. Both groups were tested before the training program began (Pretest), after the pace training was completed, in 7-8 weeks (Track test), and after a four week period when both groups performed slow paced training (Transition test). Each testing session involved a V 0 2 max test and a test of running economy in which the runners ran for 5 minutes at each load. SSVO2, accumulated VOi(AccVOi), and heart rate (HR) were measured after the submaximal and threshold loads and after the 3000m pace load. The FP HR was lower from the pretest to the track and transition tests at the submaximal and threshold loads. There were no changes at the 3000m pace load. The SP SS V02 was lower from the pretest to the track pretest to the track test at the threshold and 3000m pace loads. The 3000m SS V02 was still lower at the transition test. The SP training improved their running economy at the speeds nearest to their pace workout velocities, providing support for the presence of the temporal specificity principle in running training. The FP training improved metabolic efficiency at the submaximal and threshold velocities but did not affect running economy at any speed. The FP did significantly improve in 1500m performance from Pretest to Track test. In conclusion, running economy is more widely affected by slow paced training and there is evidence suggesting that running training is governed by the temporal specificity principle.