Effects of strength training on postpubertal adolescent distance runners

Blagrove, Richard, Howe, Louis ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2001-2802 , Cushion, Emily, Spence, Adam, Howatson, Glyn, Pedlar, Charles and Hayes, Philip (2018) Effects of strength training on postpubertal adolescent distance runners. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 50 (6). pp. 1224-1232.

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Abstract

Purpose: Strength training activities have consistently been shown to improve running economy (RE) and neuromuscular characteristics, such as force producing ability and maximal speed, in adult distance runners. However the effects on adolescent (<18 years) runners remains elusive. This randomized control trial aimed to examine the effect of strength training on several important physiological and neuromuscular qualities associated with distance running performance.

Methods: Participants (n=25, 13 female, 17.2 ±1.2 years) were paired according to their sex and RE and randomly assigned to a ten week strength training group (STG), or a control group (CG) who continued their regular training. The STG performed twice weekly sessions of plyometric, sprint and resistance training in addition to their normal running. Outcome measures included body mass, maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O2max), speed at V˙O2max, running economy (quantified as energy cost), speed at fixed blood lactate concentrations (sFBLC), 20 m sprint, and maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) during an isometric quarter-squat.

Results: Eighteen participants (STG, n=9, 16.1 ±1.1 years; CG, n=9, 17.6 ±1.2 years) completed the study. The STG displayed small improvements (3.2-3.7%, ES: 0.31-0.51) in running economy that were inferred as 'possibly beneficial' for an average of three submaximal speeds. Trivial or small changes were observed for body composition variables, V˙O2max and sV˙O2max, however the training period provided likely benefits to sFBLC in both groups. Strength training elicited a very likely benefit and a possible benefit to sprint time (ES: 0.32) and MVC (ES: 0.86) respectively.

Conclusion: Ten weeks of strength training added to the programme of a post-pubertal distance runner was highly likely to improve maximal speed, and enhances running economy by a small extent, without deleterious effects on body composition or other aerobic parameters.

Item Type:	Article
Journal / Publication Title:	Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
Publisher:	Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins / ACSM
ISSN:	1530-0315
Departments:	Academic Departments > Medical & Sport Sciences (MSS) > Sports and Physical Activity
Depositing User:	Louis Howe
Date Deposited:	12 Sep 2019 11:07
Last Modified:	12 Jan 2024 20:02
URI:	https://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/5047

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