AUTHOR=Pugliese Lorenzo , Porcelli Simone , Vezzoli Alessandra , La Torre Antonio , Serpiello Fabio R. , Pavei Gaspare , Marzorati Mauro 

TITLE=Different Training Modalities Improve Energy Cost and Performance in Master Runners

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Physiology

VOLUME=9

YEAR=2018

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2018.00021

DOI=10.3389/fphys.2018.00021

ISSN=1664-042X

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Purpose:</bold> The aim of this study was to compare the effects of continuous moderate-intensity and discontinuous high-intensity training on running performance in master runners.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> Thirty-four male master runners (47.2 ± 7.4 years) were assigned to three different groups: continuous moderate-intensity training (CMIT), discontinuous high-intensity training (DHIT), and control group (CON). CMIT and DHIT performed 8-week of supervised training (3 session·wk<sup>−1</sup>; ~35 km·wk<sup>−1</sup>) while CON maintained their normal training habits (3–4 session·wk<sup>−1</sup>; ~50 km·wk<sup>−1</sup>). Peak oxygen consumption (<inline-formula><mml:math id="M1" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mover accent="true"><mml:mi>V</mml:mi><mml:mo>˙</mml:mo></mml:mover></mml:math></inline-formula>O<sub>2peak</sub>) and peak running speed (v<sub>peak</sub>) during incremental treadmill exercise, gas exchange threshold (GET), speed at GET, energy cost of running (Cr), and 5-km performance were evaluated before and after training.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> Following the training period, both CMIT and DHIT significantly reduced Cr (−4.4 and −4.9%, respectively, <italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05), increased speed at GET (3.4 and 5.7%, <italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05) and improved 5-km time-trial performance (3.1 and 2.2%, <italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05) whereas no differences were found for <inline-formula><mml:math id="M2a" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mover accent="true"><mml:mi>V</mml:mi><mml:mo>˙</mml:mo></mml:mover></mml:math></inline-formula>O<sub>2peak</sub> and GET (as %<inline-formula><mml:math id="M2" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mover accent="true"><mml:mi>V</mml:mi><mml:mo>˙</mml:mo></mml:mover></mml:math></inline-formula>O<sub>2peak</sub>). After training, v<sub>peak</sub> improved only for DHIT (6%, <italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05). No differences were found in any variable for CON.</p><p><bold>Conclusions:</bold> This study indicates that both CMIT and DHIT may positively affect running performance in middle-aged master runners. This improvement was achieved despite a significant reduction of the amount of weekly training volume.</p>