PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Running”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 487 records · Page 27Linked to original sources

Applied horizontal force increases impact loading in reduced-gravity running.

The chronic exposure of astronauts to microgravity results in structural degradation of their lower limb bones. Currently, no effective exercise countermeasure exists. On Earth, the impact loading that occurs with regular locomotion is associated with the maintenance of bone's structural integrity, but impact loads are rarely experienced in space. Accurately mimicking Earth-like impact loads in a reduced-gravity environment should help to reduce the degradation of bone caused by weightlessness. We previously showed that running with externally applied horizontal forces (AHF) in the anterior direction qualitatively simulates the high-impact loading associated with downhill running on Earth. We hypothesized that running with AHF at simulated reduced gravity would produce impact loads equal to or greater than values experienced during normal running at Earth gravity. With an AHF of 20% of gravity-specific body weight at all gravity levels, impact force peaks increased 74%, average impact loading rates increased 46%, and maximum impact loading rates increased 89% compared to running without any AHF. In contrast, AHF did not substantially affect active force peaks. Duty factor and stride frequency decreased modestly with AHF at all gravity levels. We found that running with an AHF in simulated reduced gravity produced impact loads equal to or greater than those experienced at Earth gravity. An appropriate AHF could easily augment existing partial gravity treadmill running exercise countermeasures used during spaceflight and help prevent musculoskeletal degradation.

Adult↗

Daily rhythms in a complex operant: targeted percentile shaping of run lengths in rats.

Daily rhythms in response output and accuracy were examined when reinforcement for a complex operant was uncoupled from accuracy of performance. Rats housed in operant conditioning chambers earned their daily ration of food under a targeted percentile procedure for responding on two levers. The targeted pattern was a series of consecutive responses on the left lever (a "run"), followed by a single response on the right lever. The targeted run length was either "O" (i.e., undefined, under the nondifferential baseline), 6, 12 or 24. Under baseline, a random third of all trials ended in pellet delivery; under the percentile conditions, trials with runs closer to the target than two-thirds of the runs from the most recent 24 trials ended in pellet delivery. This contingency shaped run lengths while ensuring that approximately one-third of all trials produced pellets. Responding tracked the target value well, with mean obtained run lengths equal to 90% of the target or better. Daily rhythms were clearly evident in measures of overall output, with subjects responding primarily 3-7 h into the dark period. The only substantial light-period responding observed in all subjects occurred during the 2 h after noon, when the chambers were serviced. No systematic variation in this pattern was observed as a function of target. Run length was much less variable across the daily cycle than was response output, with only a suggestion under the longest target that response accuracy was lower during periods removed from the period of peak activity.

Animals↗

The influence of orthotic devices and vastus medialis strength and timing on patellofemoral loads during running.

OBJECTIVE: To use a musculoskeletal model and simulation of running to examine: (1) the influence of two commonly prescribed treatments for patellofemoral pain (vastus medialis oblique strengthening and orthoses) and (2) the functional significance of timing differences between vastus medialis oblique and vastus lateralis on lateral patellofemoral joint loads. DESIGN: A three-dimensional musculoskeletal model of the lower extremity was used to simulate running at 4 m/s. BACKGROUND: Repetitive and excessive joint loading is often associated with overuse injuries that require clinical treatments to reduce pain and restore function. Affecting one in four runners, patellofemoral pain is one of the most common injuries in running. Although conservative treatments have been reported to successfully treat patellofemoral pain, the effectiveness is often based on subjective or empirical data, which have generated disagreement on the most effective treatment. METHODS: Nine subject specific running simulations were generated and experiments were performed by applying the treatments and timing differences to the nominal simulations. RESULTS: Both treatments significantly reduced the average patellofemoral joint load and the vastus medialis strengthening also significantly reduced the peak patellofemoral joint load. In addition, when the vastus medialis oblique timing was delayed and advanced relative to the vastus lateralis timing, a significant increase and decrease in the joint load was observed, respectively, during the loading response.Conclusions. Increasing vastus medialis oblique strength yielded more consistent results across subjects than the orthosis in reducing patellofemoral joint loads during running. The effect of orthoses was highly variable and sensitive to the individual subject's running mechanics. Vastus medialis oblique activation timing is an important determinant of lateral patellofemoral joint loading during the impact phase. RELEVANCE: These findings indicate that a reduction in patellofemoral pain may be achieved through techniques that selectively increase the vastus medialis oblique strength. Therefore, future studies should be directed towards identifying such techniques. Additionally, the functional significance of timing differences between the vastus medialis oblique and vastus lateralis is an important consideration in patellofemoral pain treatment and orthoses may be beneficial for some patients depending on their running mechanics.

Adult↗

Fatigue-induced changes in decline running.

OBJECTIVE: Study the relation between muscle fatigue during eccentric muscle contractions and kinematics of the legs in downhill running. DESIGN: Decline running on a treadmill was used to acquire data on shock accelerations, muscle activity and kinematics, for comparison with level running. BACKGROUND: In downhill running, local muscle fatigue is the cause of morphological muscle damage which leads to reduced attenuation of shock accelerations. METHODS: Fourteen subjects ran on a treadmill above level-running anaerobic threshold speed for 30 min, in level and -4 degrees decline running. The following were monitored: metabolic fatigue by means of respiratory parameters; muscle fatigue of the quadriceps by means of elevation in myoelectric activity; and kinematic parameters including knee and ankle angles and hip vertical excursion by means of computerized videography. Data on shock transmission reported in previous studies were also used. RESULTS: Quadriceps fatigue develops in parallel to an increasing vertical excursion of the hip in the stance phase of running, enabled by larger dorsi flexion of the ankle rather than by increased flexion of the knee. CONCLUSIONS: The decrease in shock attenuation can be attributed to quadriceps muscle fatigue in parallel to increased vertical excursion of the hips.

Adult↗

A comparison of overground and treadmill running for measuring the three-dimensional kinematics of the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex.

OBJECTIVE: To compare overground and treadmill running for differences in the three-dimensional angular kinematics of the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex. DESIGN: A within-subject repeated measures design. BACKGROUND: The treadmill is an attractive research instrument as speed and slope are easily controlled and the required calibration volume is reduced. However, the degree to which treadmill running simulates overground running has not been resolved in the literature to date. METHODS: 10 able-bodied subjects ran overground and on a treadmill at a self-selected speed. The treadmill speed was matched to each subjects respective average overground speed. The time-distance and the three-dimensional angular kinematic data were captured using a passive marker based motion analysis system. A set of angular and temporal kinematic parameters were extracted from the data and subjected to statistical analyses. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between overground and treadmill running for all the time-distance parameters. Despite this, the kinematics of the lumbar spine and pelvis were similar between the two running conditions, with only three parameters being significantly different. These were lumbar extension at initial contact, anterior pelvic tilt at initial contact and the first maximum anterior pelvic tilt. Hip flexion-extension parameters were also only found to display subtle differences. Of the 17 hip parameters analysed, only hip flexion at initial contact, maximum hip flexion at loading response, hip extension at toe off, maximum hip extension and hip flexion-extension range of motion were found to be significantly different. CONCLUSION: A high powered treadmill with a minimal belt speed fluctuation is capable of being used to obtain a representation of the typical three-dimensional kinematic pattern of the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex during running. RELEVANCE: In order for the treadmill to be accepted as a useful research and/or clinical assessment instrument, it must be demonstrated that it does not significantly alter the performance of the evaluated activity. In this respect, a treadmill with minimal intra-stride belt speed variability and similar surface stiffness to the relevant overground condition is likely to be capable of being used to obtain a representation of the typical human running action for well accommodated subjects.

Adult↗

Running energetics of the North American river otter: do short legs necessarily reduce efficiency on land?

Semi-aquatic mammals move between two very different media (air and water), and are subject to a greater range of physical forces (gravity, buoyancy, drag) than obligate swimmers or runners. This versatility is associated with morphological compromises that often lead to elevated locomotor energetic costs when compared to fully aquatic or terrestrial species. To understand the basis of these differences in energy expenditure, this study examined the interrelationships between limb morphology, cost of transport and biomechanics of running in a semi-aquatic mammal, the North American river otter. Oxygen consumption, preferred locomotor speeds, and stride characteristics were measured for river otters (body mass=11.1 kg, appendicular/axial length=29%) trained to run on a treadmill. To assess the effects of limb length on performance parameters, kinematic measurements were also made for a terrestrial specialist of comparable stature, the Welsh corgi dog (body mass=12.0 kg, appendicular/axial length=37%). The results were compared to predicted values for long legged terrestrial specialists. As found for other semi-aquatic mammals, the net cost of transport of running river otters (6.63 J kg(-1)min(-1) at 1.43 ms(-1)) was greater than predicted for primarily terrestrial mammals. The otters also showed a marked reduction in gait transition speed and in the range of preferred running speeds in comparison to short dogs and semi-aquatic mammals. As evident from the corgi dogs, short legs did not necessarily compromise running performance. Rather, the ability to incorporate a period of suspension during high speed running was an important compensatory mechanism for short limbs in the dogs. Such an aerial period was not observed in river otters with the result that energetic costs during running were higher and gait transition speeds slower for this versatile mammal compared to locomotor specialists.

Animals↗

Running economy is impaired following a single bout of resistance exercise.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a low-volume high-intensity resistance training session influenced running economy during a subsequent aerobic treadmill run. Nine well trained distance runners (mean +/- SD; VO2max, 66.6 +/- 10.2 ml x kg(-1) x min(-1); weight, 65.8 +/- 10.2 kg; height, 173.4 +/- 7.8 cm; age 20 +/- 1.1 years) with resistance training experience performed treadmill running at two different speeds (0.56 m x sec(-1) and 0.20 m x sec(-1) below speed corresponding to lactate equilibrium) either rested or 1, 8 or 24 hours after a 50-minute whole body resistance training session. Running economy was assessed using open circuit spirometry while heart rate was recorded telemetrically. The contractile properties of the quadriceps femoris were also determined following each resistance training session and prior to each treadmill run using percutaneous electrical stimulation. Submaximal oxygen consumption was significantly increased one hour (2.6 +/- 2.3%, p= 0.007), and eight hours (1.6 +/- 2.5%, p= 0.032), but not 24 hours after resistance training. No significant differences were found in exercising heart rate, ventilation, respiratory exchange ratio, ratings of perceived exertion, or running mechanics. Peak twitch torque, time to peak torque, and half relaxation time of the quadriceps femoris were significantly reduced immediately following resistance training while peak twitch torque was also lower one hour following resistance training. Running economy following a resistance training session is impaired for up to 8 hours. This change was not paralleled by a concomitant change in exercising heart rate. The mechanism responsible for increased oxygen consumption following resistance training may be related to impairment of the force generating capacity of skeletal muscle, as there was a significant decrement in the contractile properties of the quadriceps femoris following resistance training.

Adult↗

Fluid replacement needs of well-trained male and female athletes during indoor and outdoor steady state running.

Twelve male and six female well-trained middle distance athletes performed a series of six one hour runs at 75% VO2 peak pace under similar environmental states indoors (treadmill) and outdoors (track). Running was undertaken in control (C, no fluid), followed by water (W) and sports drink (SD) treatments, with each run separated by a one week interval. Both fluid treatments were supplied in volumes equivalent to individual body mass (fluid) losses incurred in the respective indoor and outdoor C treatments. Haemodynamic (plasma volume), physiological (heart rate and body temperature) and blood chemistry (blood lactate and glucose) measures were analysed as pre to post run changes (delta values). During the respective indoor and outdoor C treatments, males demonstrated approximately a twofold change in body mass (fluid) losses (delta 1.81 +/- 0.10 kg and 2.06 +/- 0.13 kg) compared with females (delta 0.93 +/- 0.11 kg and 1.32 +/- 0.12 kg) (all p<0.05). These losses resulted in almost a twofold fluid replacement need relative to body mass during the running phases of respective indoor and outdoor W and SD treatments in males compared with females (all p<0.05). Both W and SD treatments were effective in minimising the pre to post run disturbances in plasma volume, heart rate, body temperature and blood lactate, while SD treatment resulted in enhanced blood glucose changes. The results suggest gender specific differences in fluid replacement needs during steady state running, which need to be incorporated into fluid replacement strategies to compensate for the demands of training and competition in middle distance athletic events.

Adult↗

The antidepressant effect of running is associated with increased hippocampal cell proliferation.

A common trait of antidepressant drugs, electroconvulsive treatment and physical exercise is that they relieve depression and up-regulate neurotrophic factors as well as cell proliferation and neurogenesis in the hippocampus. In order to identify possible biological underpinnings of depression and the antidepressant effect of running, we analysed cell proliferation, the level of the neurotrophic factor BDNF in hippocampus and dynorphin in striatum/accumbens in 'depressed' Flinders Sensitive Line rats (FSL) and Flinders Resistant Line (FRL) rats with and without access to running-wheels. The FRL strain exhibited a higher daily running activity than the FSL strain. Wheel-running had an antidepressant effect in the 'depressed' FSL rats, as indicated by the forced swim test. In the hippocampus, cell proliferation was lower in the 'depressed' rats compared to the control FRL rats but there was no difference in BDNF or dynorphin levels in striatum/accumbens. After 5 wk of running, cell proliferation increased in FSL but not in FRL rats. BDNF and dynorphin mRNA levels were increased in FRL but not to the same extent in the in FSL rats; thus, increased BDNF and dynorphin levels were correlated to the running activity but not to the antidepressant effect of running. The only parameter that was associated to basal level of 'depression' and to the antidepressant effect was cell proliferation in the hippocampus. Thus, suppression of cell proliferation in the hippocampus could constitute one of the mechanisms that underlie depression, and physical activity might be an efficient antidepressant.

Analysis of Variance↗

Energetics of running: a new perspective.

The amount of energy used to run a mile is nearly the same whether it is run at top speed or at a leisurely pace (although it is used more rapidly at the higher speed). This puzzling independence of energy cost and speed is found generally among running animals, although, on a per gram basis, cost is much higher for smaller animals. Running involves little work against the environment; work is done by muscles and tendons to lift and accelerate the body and limbs. Some of the work is recovered from muscle-tendon springs without metabolic cost and work rate does not parallel metabolic rate with either speed or size. Regardless of the amount of work muscles do, they must be activated and develop force to support the weight of the body. Load-carrying experiments have shown that the cost of supporting an extra newton of load is the same as the weight-specific cost of running. Size differences in cost are proportional to stride frequency at equivalent speeds, suggesting that the time available for developing force is important in determining cost. We report a simple inverse relationship between the rate of energy used for running and the time the foot applies force to the ground during each stride. These results support the hypothesis that it is primarily the cost of supporting the animal's weight and the time course of generating this force that determines the cost of running.

Animals↗

Running has differential effects on NPY, opiates, and cell proliferation in an animal model of depression and controls.

Physical activity has documented beneficial effect in treatment of depression. Recently, we found an antidepressant-like effect of running in an animal model of depression, the Flinders Sensitive Line (FSL) and demonstrated that it was associated with increased hippocampal cell proliferation. In this study, we analyzed levels of mRNAs encoding the neuropeptide Y (NPY) and the opioid peptides dynorphin and enkephalin in hippocampus and correlated these to cell proliferation in the FSL and in the 'nondepressed' Flinders Resistant Line (FRL) strain, with/without access to running wheels. Running increased NPY mRNA in dentate gyrus and the CA4 region in FSL, but not in FRL rats. NPY mRNA increase was correlated to increased cell proliferation in the subgranular zone of dentate gyrus. Baseline dynorphin and enkephalin mRNA levels in the dentate gyrus were lower in the FSL compared to the FRL strain. Running had no effect on dynorphin and enkephalin mRNAs in the FSL strain but it decreased dynorphin mRNA, and there was a trend to increased enkephalin mRNA in the FRL rats. Thus, it would appear that the CNS effects of running are different in 'depressed' and control animals; modification of NPY, a peptide associated with depression and anxiety, in depressed animals, vs effects on opioids, associated with the reward systems, in healthy controls. Our data support the hypothesis that NPY neurotransmission in hippocampus is malfunctioning in depression and that antidepressive treatment, in this case wheel running, will normalize it. In addition, we also show that the increased NPY after running is correlated to increased cell proliferation, which is associated with an antidepressive-like effect.

Analysis of Variance↗

Vitamin E supplementation attenuates leakage of enzymes following 6 successive days of running training.

The purpose of this study was to examine whether vitamin E supplementation in humans would attenuate an increase of serum enzymes as an indirect marker of muscle damage following a sudden large increase in the running distance in a 6-day running training or not. A randomized and placebo-controlled study was carried out on fourteen male runners who were supplied vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol 1200 IU x day(-1); E) or placebo (P) 4 weeks prior to (T1) and during 6 successive days of running training (48.3 +/- 5.7 km x day(-1), means +/- SD). Resting venous blood samples were obtained before maximal treadmill running, at T1, the day immediately before (T2), the next day (T3), and three weeks (T4) after the running training. Serum levels of alpha-tocopherol, lipid peroxidation products (thiobarbituric acid; TBA), creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and LDH isozyme 1-5 were quantitatively analyzed. No significant difference was found in maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and maximal heart rates following the exhaustive exercise between the P and E group during the experiments. Vitamin E supplementation significantly increased serum alpha-tocopherol (p<0.001) and decreased TBA levels (p < 0.001) compared with pre-supplementation levels. Although serum CK and LDH activities increased significantly at T3 in either group, significantly lower CK (p < 0.05) and LDH (p < 0.001) levels were observed in the E group compared with the P group. The ratio of LDH1 to LDH2 (LDH1/LDH2) decreased significantly at T3 in either group compared with the T1 levels, since there was no significant difference in the LDH1/LDH2 between the P and E group throughout the experiments. These results indicate that vitamin E supplementation can reduce the leakage of CK and LDH following 6 successive days of endurance running. The protective effect of vitamin E against free radicals probably inhibits free-radical-induced muscle damage caused by a sudden large increase in the running distance.

Adult↗

Effects of troglitazone and voluntary running on insulin resistance induced high fat diet in the rat.

It is well known that troglitazone and voluntary running have the capacity to improve insulin resistance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the combination effect of troglitazone and voluntary running on insulin action. Female rats aged 7 weeks were divided into high-fat diet (HF), high-fat diet + troglitazone (0.3% in diet; Tg), high-fat diet + voluntary running (for 3 wks; Tr), high-fat diet + troglitazone + voluntary running (Tg-Tr), and control (C) groups. A sequential euglycemic clamp experiment with two different insulin infusion rates of 3.0 (L-clamp) and 30.0 mU/kg BW/min (H-clamp) was performed on these rats after an overnight fast. Blood glucose concentrations were kept at fasting levels by periodic adjustment of the intravenous glucose infusion rate during the clamp experiment. Glucose infusion rates (GIRs) calculated from 60 to 90, 150 to 180 min were regarded as an index of whole body insulin action. After the clamp experiment, we determined the amount of glycogen content in the gastrocnemius muscle. Fat feeding markedly reduced GIRs in both L- and H- clamp experiments compared with C. Troglitazone treatment did not improve high-fat induced insulin resistance. In both L- and H-clamp experiments, GIRs were increased by voluntary running compared with HF, and reached the same levels as in C. GIRs of Tg-Tr were not greater than those of Tr. Glycogen content in gastrocnemius muscle showed the same trend as the results for GIRs. Therefore, the combination effect of troglitazone and voluntary running on insulin action was not found, but the effect of voluntary running was shown in fat-induced insulin resistance.

Animals↗

Fat oxidation in men and women endurance athletes in running and cycling.

Recent studies showed that the maximal fat oxidation seems to be different in men and women and that it can be influenced by type and intensity of exercise. Nineteen endurance trained male (V.O (2)peak 61.3 +/- 4.4 ml x kg (-1) x min (-1)) and 17 female (V.O (2)peak 52.8 +/- 4.5 ml x kg (-1) x min (-1)) athletes were studied over 30 min at 55, 65 and 75 % V.O (2)peak on a treadmill and a cycling ergometer in order to find the intensity and kind of exercise with the highest absolute fat oxidation. For women, normalised (per body weight) fat oxidation was higher at 75 % V.O (2)peak than at 55 % V.O (2)peak for both running (p = 0.02) and cycling (p = 0.01). Women also oxidised a significantly higher percentage of fat with regard to total energy expenditure than men in running (p = 0.02) and cycling (p = 0.004). Normalised carbohydrate oxidation was significantly higher for men at each tested intensity (p < 0.05) and compared to kind of exercise in men (p = 0.006) and women (p = 0.002) in cycling than in running. Men and women showed a significantly higher normalised fat oxidation for running compared to cycling (p = 0.01). Cycling produced in men (p = 0.06) and women (p = 0.001) significantly more lactate than running. In summary, we found at 75 % V.O (2)peak a higher fat oxidation rate than at 65 % V.O (2)peak and 55 % V.O (2)peak for men and women in cycling and running. This is coincident with lactate threshold in men and women in cycling but not in running, where lactate threshold is higher than 75 % V.O (2)peak.

Adult↗

The physiological responses to running after cycling in elite junior and senior triathletes.

The purpose of this investigation was to compare the physiological responses in cycling and the energy cost (EC) of running after cycling in elite junior (J (male) and J (female)) and senior (S (male) and S (female)) triathletes and to determine the relationship between laboratory physiological parameters and performance in an elite "standard" distance triathlon. Thirty-one elite triathletes competing at World Championship level (age: 23.4 +/- 4.8 y; height: 172.6 +/- 6.8 cm; body mass: 64.4 +/- 7.2 kg; V.O (2)max = 67.8 +/- 8.3 ml x kg (-1) x min (-1)) comprising J (male) (n = 7), J (female) (n = 6), S (male) (n = 9) and S (female) (n = 9) athletes performed a laboratory trial that consisted of submaximal treadmill running (to determine EC), maximal then submaximal cycle ergometry (to determine the peak power output [PPO], V.O (2)max, the ventilation threshold [VT] and cycling economy) followed by an additional submaximal running bout. Swimming, cycling, running and overall race performance (min) over a standard event was also measured in the field. S (male) had a faster cycle, run and overall triathlon times than J (male). S (female) demonstrated a faster cycle and overall triathlon time than J (female). The V.O (2)max (74.7 +/- 5.7 vs. 74.3 +/- 4.4 and 60.1 +/- 1.8 vs. 61.0 +/- 5.0 ml x kg (-1) x min (-1)) and cycling economy (72.5 +/- 4.5 vs. 73.8 +/- 4.3 and 75.6 +/- 4.5 vs. 79.8 +/- 9.8 W x l (-1) x min (-1)) were similar between the junior and senior, in both male and female triathletes. However, S (female) possessed a significantly higher PPO than J (female). S (male) had a higher VT (%V.O (2)max) than J (male) whereas the VT was similar in J (female) and S (female). There were no significant differences in EC change from the first to the second running bout between J (male) and S (male), whereas, in contrast, J (female) exhibited a significantly (p < 0.05) higher difference in EC than S (female). When all subjects were pooled, the overall triathlon time (min) was significantly correlated to V.O (2)max (r = -0.80; p < 0.001) and PPO (W) (r = -0.85; p < 0.001) in cycle ergometry. In conclusion, elite senior triathletes can be distinguished from their younger (junior) counterparts, mainly by a higher PPO in cycling and a lower increase in the whole body energy cost of running after cycling in female and by a higher ventilatory threshold in male triathletes.

Adolescent↗

Relationship between VO2max and the aerobic demand of running in elite distance runners.

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between VO2max and the aerobic demand of running (VO2submax) in elite distance runners. On at least one occasion, VO2max and VO2submax values were obtained on 22 male subjects (mean age = 27 +/- 2 yrs; mean height = 178.6 +/- 6.8 cm; mean body mass = 64.1 +/- 5.6 kg; mean 10 km run time = 28.89 +/- 1.05 min) training for the 1994 Olympic Trials. Subjects performed 6-min, submaximal level-grade treadmill runs at four speeds (ranging from 4.47 to 5.50 m.s-1) to determine VO2submax. VO2 during each run was calculated by analyzing a 2-min gas sample collected during the last 2 min of running. These values were expressed relative to distance traveled and averaged to derive an overall VO2submax value. Shortly following these submaximal runs, VO2max was measured. When more than one set of VO2submax and VO2max data were available for a particular subject, the average of all tests was used. Results indicated that mean VO2max and VO2submax values were 75.8 +/- 3.4 ml.kg-1.min-1 and 184.6 +/- 8.6 ml.kg-1.km-1, respectively. Correlational analyses also revealed a significant relationship (r = 0.59; p < 0.01) between VO2max and VO2submax. These data suggest that among similarly-performing elite distance runners, a positive relationship exists between VO2max and the aerobic demand of running.

Adult↗

Blood lactate at 12 km/h and vOBLA as predictors of run performance in non-endurance athletes.

Run velocity at the onset of blood lactate accumulation (vOBLA) has been reported to be highly correlated with performance in endurance runs. From capillary blood samples taken during incremental treadmill running, vOBLA and the blood lactate concentration at a run speed of 12 km/h (La12) were determined in a group of 11 men which excluded endurance athletes. The inter-relationships between these variables, 4-km run performance and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) were investigated. vOBLA and La12 were highly correlated with one another (r = -0.95). Mean 4-km run speed was found to be closely related to vOBLA (r = 0.86), La12 (r = -0.88) and VO2max (r = 0.86). Reproducibility of both vOBLA and La12 was found to be good; test and re-test scores were highly correlated (r greater than or equal to 0.93) and did not differ significantly (p greater than 0.05). The present study suggests that vOBLA may be a valid and reproducible predictor of run performance in individuals who are not endurance athletes. It was not, however, found to be better in these respects than La12, the measurement of which would be easier and less traumatic to the subject since it would require less blood sampling.

Adult↗

Foot impact force and intravascular hemolysis during distance running.

This study was designed to examine the relationship between foot impact force and the magnitudes of the changes in markers of intravascular hemolysis during distance running. Fourteen male distance runners (VO2 max = 66.1 +/- 5.0 ml.kg-1.min-1, mean +/- SD) completed two treadmill runs and a resting control procedure. The two treadmill tests involved running at 215 m.min-1 for 10,000 footstrikes at elevations of either +6% (uphill) or -6% (downhill). Mean foot impact force was 11% greater with the downhill than the uphill running. The three procedures were ordered randomly and separated by 7 days. Hemoglobin concentration (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), plasma free hemoglobin (PFHb), and haptoglobin (Hp) concentrations were assayed in blood samples collected via venipuncture 15 min and immediately before exercise, and immediately, 1 h, and 2 h after the exercise. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed that Hp was significantly decreased and PFHb was significantly increased after treadmill running (P less than 0.05) and that these changes were significantly greater with downhill than uphill running (P less than 0.05). These findings support the theory that mechanical trauma to red blood cells occurring at footstrike is a major cause of hemolysis during running.

Adult↗