Effect of Running Velocity Variation on the Aerobic Cost of Running

Madeline Ranum, Carl Foster, Clayton Camic, Glenn Wright, Flavia Guidotti, Jos J de Koning, Christopher Dodge and John P. Porcari
Additional contact information
Madeline Ranum: Department of Exercise and Sports Science, University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, WI 54601, USA
Carl Foster: Department of Exercise and Sports Science, University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, WI 54601, USA
Clayton Camic: Kinesiology and Physical Education, Northern Illinois University, De Kalb, IL 60115, USA
Glenn Wright: Department of Exercise and Sports Science, University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, WI 54601, USA
Flavia Guidotti: Institute of Motor Sceinces, University of Rome-Foro Italico, 00135 Rome, Italy
Jos J de Koning: Faculty FBW, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Christopher Dodge: Department of Exercise and Sports Science, University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, WI 54601, USA
John P. Porcari: Department of Exercise and Sports Science, University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, WI 54601, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 4, 1-6

Abstract: The aerobic cost of running (CR), an important determinant of running performance, is usually measured during constant speed running. However, constant speed does not adequately reflect the nature of human locomotion, particularly competitive races, which include stochastic variations in pace. Studies in non-athletic individuals suggest that stochastic variations in running velocity produce little change in CR. This study was designed to evaluate whether variations in running speed influence CR in trained runners. Twenty competitive runners (12 m, VO 2max = 73 ± 7 mL/kg; 8f, VO 2max = 57 ± 6 mL/kg) ran four 6-minute bouts at an average speed calculated to require ~90% ventilatory threshold (VT) (measured using both v-slope and ventilatory equivalent). Each interval was run with minute-to-minute pace variation around average speed. CR was measured over the last 2 min. The coefficient of variation (CV) of running speed was calculated to quantify pace variations: ±0.0 m?s ?1 (CV = 0%), ±0.04 m?s ?1 (CV = 1.4%), ±0.13 m?s ?1 (CV = 4.2%), and ±0.22 m?s ?1 (CV = 7%). No differences in CR, HR, or blood lactate (BLa) were found amongst the variations in running pace. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was significantly higher only in the 7% CV condition. The results support earlier studies with short term (3s) pace variations, that pace variation within the limits often seen in competitive races did not affect CR when measured at running speeds below VT.

Keywords: running; cost of running; running performance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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