The effects of strength training and endurance training order on running economy and performance

Abstract

This study examined the acute effect of strength and endurance training sequence on running economy (RE) at 70% and 90% ventilatory threshold (VT) and on running time to exhaustion (TTE) at 110% VT the following day. Fourteen trained and moderately trained male runners performed strength training prior to running sessions (SR) and running prior to strength training sessions (RS) with each mode of training session separated by 6 h. RE tests were conducted at baseline (Base-RE) and the day following each sequence to examine cost of running (CR), TTE, and lower extremity kinematics. Maximal isometric knee extensor torque was measured prior to and following each training session and the RE tests. Results showed that CR at 70% and 90% VT for SR-RE (0.76 ± 0.10 and 0.77 ± 0.07 mL·kg(-0.75)·m(-1)) was significantly greater than Base-RE (0.72 ± 0.10 and 0.70 ± 0.11 mL·kg(-0.75)·m(-1)) and RS-RE (0.73 ± 0.09 and 0.72 ± 0.09 mL·kg(-0.75)·m(-1)) (P < 0.05). TTE was significantly less for SR-RE (237.8 ± 67.4 s) and RS-RE (275.3 ± 68.0 s) compared with Base-RE (335.4 ± 92.1 s) (P < 0.01). The torque during the SR sequence was significantly reduced for every time point following the strength training session (P < 0.05). However, no significant differences were found in torque following the running session (P > 0.05), although it was significantly reduced following the strength training session (P < 0.05) during the RS sequence. These findings show that running performance is impaired to a greater degree the day following the SR sequence compared with the RS sequence.

The repeated bout effect of typical lower body strength training sessions on sub-maximal running performance and hormonal response

“…For the sub-maximal running performance measures, significant increases were found for the majority (except for VO 2 ) of the physiological (i.e., V E , VCO 2 , V E /VO 2 , V E /VCO 2 and HR) and perceptual (i.e., RPE) measures. These findings indicated that strength training increased the physiological cost of sub-maximal running which is similar to previous findings of elevations in cardiorespiratory parameters and RPE following lower body strength training (Doma and Deakin 2013;Burt et al 2013). Furthermore, the increase in the physiological cost of sub-maximal running with a concomitant elevation EIMD markers is in line with that of the previous studies (Chen et al 2009;Burt et al 2013;Chen et al 2007;Doma and Deakin 2013).…”

“…These findings indicated that strength training increased the physiological cost of sub-maximal running which is similar to previous findings of elevations in cardiorespiratory parameters and RPE following lower body strength training (Doma and Deakin 2013;Burt et al 2013). Furthermore, the increase in the physiological cost of sub-maximal running with a concomitant elevation EIMD markers is in line with that of the previous studies (Chen et al 2009;Burt et al 2013;Chen et al 2007;Doma and Deakin 2013). It has been suggested that the attenuation in muscle function perturbs sub-maximal running performance as a result of EIMD (Kyrolainen et al 2000).…”

“…Indeed, our results showed that CMJ was reduced for up to 48 h post-exercise suggesting that impaired muscle function may have contributed to an elevation in sub-maximal running performance measures. Previous studies have also indicated that EIMD may alter sub-maximal running performance measures due to impaired optimal neural recruitment patterns (Chen et al 2007), a decreased ability to use the stretch-shortening cycle (Chen et al 2007) and a compromise in proprioceptive mechanisms thereby altering running kinematics (Doma and Deakin 2013). From a practical standpoint, the elevation in the physiological cost and perceptual measures of sub-maximal running for at least 24 h post-exercise in the current study tends to suggest that a high-intensity typical lower body strength training session may impair the quality of subsequent running sessions the following day.…”

Fitness and Lean Mass Increases during Combined Training Independent of Loading Order

“…In recent studies, these adverse effects were reflected by increased work economy when endurance loading was performed immediately after a strength loading (14) and reduced neuromuscular performance measured immediately following intensive running or cycling (27), possibly influencing physiological training adaptations. As previous studies of combined endurance and strength training have shown possible compromised adaptations in strength and power but not endurance performance (21), it is likely that the acute effects of endurance loading on strength performance are more critical for the long-term development of physical fitness than the acute effects of strength loading on work economy during endurance performance.…”

The Acute Effect of Concurrent Training on Running Performance Over 6 Days

“…However, it has been shown that acute strength training impaired running-time trial performance although RE was unaffected (Marcora & Bosio, 2007). A recent study examined the acute effects of the strengthand endurance-training sequence on running performance the following day (Doma & Deakin, 2013b). The results showed that RE was impaired the following day when strength training was undertaken prior to endurance training the previous day, although such results were not found with the reverse sequence.…”