Effects of intermittent sprint and plyometric training on endurance running performance

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to compare the effects of intermittent sprint training and plyometric training on endurance running performance.MethodsFourteen moderately trained male endurance runners were allocated into either the intermittent sprint training group (n = 7) or the plyometric training group (n = 7). The preliminary tests required subjects to perform a treadmill graded exercise test, a countermovement jump test for peak power measurement, and a 10-km time trial. Training included 12 sessions of either intermittent sprint or plyometric training carried out twice per week. On completion of the intervention, post-tests were conducted.ResultsBoth groups showed significant reduction in weekly training mileage from pre-intervention during the intervention period. There were significant improvements in the 10-km time trial performance and peak power. There was also significant improvement in relative peak power for both groups. The 10-km time trial performance and relative peak power showed a moderate inverse correlation.ConclusionThese findings showed that both intermittent sprint and plyometric training resulted in improved 10-km running performance despite reduction in training mileage. The improvement in running performance was accompanied by an improvement in peak power and showed an inverse relationship with relative peak power.

Isometric mid-thigh pull force-time characteristics: A good indicator of running performance

“…22 In addition, possessing higher muscular strength would also mean that the rate of muscular fatigue would be lower for any given power output as the intensity of the muscle contraction to produce that power output would be relatively lower, hence allowing individuals to better sustain a given running speed which would lead to shorter time to complete the race. 5 Moreover, ground contact time decrease as running speed increase. 21 Endurance runners hence need to possess greater rate of force development in the lower limb to generate sufficient amount of force within the shorter ground contact period in order to run faster.…”

“…16 Kinematic data for calculation of the stiffness characteristics were obtained by placing an optical system consisting of 2 bars (Optogait, Microgait, Italy) beside the moving belt of the treadmill. 5 Running Economy: The RE was calculated by combining aerobic energy metabolism, calculated from VO2 and the respiratory exchange ratio (RER), with anaerobic energy metabolism, calculated from the change in Bla. 17…”

“…The benefits of including resistance training to the endurance runners' training program are well evident within the literature. 1,2 Resistance training elicits neurological and morphological adaptations 3 , resulting in changes to indicators of running performance such as enhanced running economy 4 (RE) along with maximal force and power production 1 , increased velocity associated with VO2max 2 , and reduced rate of fatigue 5 , which ultimately improves running performance. However, Ferrauti et al 6 reported no improvement in RE after eight weeks of strength training in recreational marathon runners.…”

Development and Implementation of a “Music Beeps” Program to Promote Physical Fitness in Adolescents

“…Plyometric training is based on the fact that the quicker the muscles are stretched, the more power they exert; it has been reported to enhance significantly the power of various muscles [ 15 ]. Further, plyometric training is an excellent exercise for developing power, and it is the most widely used training worldwide to enhance power [ 16 ]. We designed the program with a focus on plyometric training but also to improve cardiopulmonary endurance, based on the effective characteristics of previous studies on the advantage of plyometric training [ 17 , 18 ].…”

Brief Review: Effects of Isometric Strength Training on Strength and Dynamic Performance

“…Determinants of performance for this activity include cardiovascular endurance, lactate threshold and movement economy [6]. Multiple studies have shown that participating in isotonic strength and/or plyometric training resulted in improved running performance without increase in maximal oxygen consumption [7,41,48,53]. To our knowledge, there are currently only 2 studies that investigated the effects of IST on running performance [2,18].…”