Influence of water run training on the maintenance of aerobic performance

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a 6-wk deep water running program on the maintenance of cardiorespiratory performance (VO2max, ventilatory threshold, running economy); metabolic measurements of blood glucose, blood lactate, and plasma norepinephrine; and body composition. Sixteen trained male runners (VO2max = 58.6 +/- 3.6 ml.kg-1.min-1) were assigned to one of two groups matched by VO2max, treadmill run (R) or water run (WR). Subjects participated in their respective training programs, which consisted of workouts of a) 30 min at 90-100% VO2max and b) 60 min at 70-75% VO2max alternated daily for 5 d.wk-1. Following 6 wk of workouts, no significant intra- or intergroup differences were observed for treadmill VO2max for R (pre = 58.4 +/- 2.3, post = 60.1 +/- 3.6 ml.kg-1.min) and WR (pre = 58.7 +/- 4.7, post = 59.6 +/- 5.4 ml.kg-1.min-1). Similarly, ventilatory threshold was unaltered in R (pre = 47.5 +/- 1.8, post = 48.2 +/- 3.3 ml.kg-1.min-1) and WR (pre = 46.5 +/- 6.4, post = 47.4 +/- 6.7 ml.kg-1.min-1), nor were there any changes in running economy in R (pre = 48.4 +/- 2.3, post = 48.9 +/- 2.0 ml.kg-1.min-1 at 255 m.min-1) and WR (pre = 51.8 +/- 2.0, post = 48.9 +/- 2.2 ml.kg-1.min-1 at 255 m.min-1). No significant differences were observed within or between groups for maximal blood glucose, blood lactate, and plasma norepinephrine concentration as well as for body composition indices. It was concluded that deep water running may serve as an effective training alternative to landbased running for the maintenance of aerobic performance for up to 6 wk in trained endurance athletes.

Physiologic and Kinematical Effects of Water Run Training on Running Performance

“…The running kinematics was not changed after the 8 week training program. Our kinematical results refutes the following idea proposed by Wilber et al (1996): "It is possible that hydrostatic resistance encountered during water run exercise …”

“…As expected, the physiologic results collectively indicate that DWR and OLR groups exhibit largely similar responses. The physiological responses to DWR and OLR training in this study are in accordance with those from previous studies (Bushman et al, 1997;Eyestone et al, 1993;Morrow, 1995;Wilber et al, 1996). Bushman and coworkers (1997) reported that trained runners attained the following VO 2peak : 63.4 and 62.2 ml.kg −1 .min −1 before and after 4 weeks of DWR, respectively.…”

“…Many mechanisms of DWR benefits can be attributed to the hydrostatic effect of water and their reduced mechanical load, for example, on the spine (Dowzer, Reilly, & Cable, 1998) and principally in lower limbs. These factors have proportioned an increase on interest in the effects that a DWR program may have as an alternative training mode for maintaining the aerobic responses and performance in healthy athletes (Bushman, Flynn, Andres, Lambert, Taylor, & Braun, 1997;Eyestone, Fellingham, George, & Fisher, 1993;Wilber, Moffat, Scott, Lee, & Cucuzzo, 1996). Both the popular (IAAF, 2004) and the scientific (Reilly, Dowzer, & Cable, 2003) literature propose the DWR for runners recovering from strenuous races and as a training complement.…”

“…Although, the effects of chronic DWR training supplement on the maintenance of some cardiorespiratory parameters have been extensively investigated, particularly among recreational runners (Eyestone et al, 1993;Wilber et al, 1996), to our knowledge, the DWR effects on running kinematic and second ventilatory threshold (T vent ) has never been measured in competitive runners. Wilber and collaborators (1996) noted that DWR may improve stride biomechanics, resulting in a more efficient stride and thus contributing to the maintenance of running economy; nevertheless, the efficacy of such a strategy in maintaining the running economy in endurance-trained runners remains to be firmly established.…”

The Interventional Use of Water Treadmill Running During Long Periods of Injury

“…As such, any intervention that can stimulate a physiological response close to normal training conditions in an injured runner, while not hampering the recovery process, must be seen as positive to an otherwise quite traumatic situation. 16 It has been suggested that deep water exercise [17][18][19] or other non-impact exercise 18 offers sufficient stimulus to preserve prior fitness levels amongst healthy participants. However, no assessment of the impact of such an intervention on running dynamics has been performed.…”