Modelling 5-km Running Performance on Level and Hilly Terrains in Recreational Runners

Abstract

Incline and level running on treadmills have been extensively studied due to their different cardiorespiratory and biomechanical acute responses. However, there are no studies examining the performance determinants of outdoor running on hilly terrains. We aimed to investigate the influence of anthropometrics, muscle strength, and cardiorespiratory and gait spatiotemporal parameters during level (0%) and inclined (+7%) running on performance in level and hilly 5-km races. Twenty male recreational runners completed two 5-km outdoor running tests (0% vs. +7% and −7%), and two submaximal (10 km·h−1) and incremental treadmill tests at 0 and 7% slopes, after complete laboratory evaluations. The velocity at maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) evaluated at 7% incline and level treadmill running were the best performance predictors under both hilly (R2 = 0.72; p < 0.05) and level (R2 = 0.85; p < 0.01) conditions, respectively. Inclusion of ventilatory and submaximal heart rate data improved the predictive models up to 100%. Conversely, none of the parameters evaluated in one condition contributed to the other condition. The spatiotemporal parameters and the runners’ strength levels were not associated to outdoor performances. These results indicate that the vVO2max evaluated at similar slopes in the lab can be used to predict 5-km running performances on both level and hilly terrains.

Biomechanical, physiological and anthropometrical predictors of performance in recreational runners

“…According to our results, V 2VT , theoretical metabolic cost, and fat-mass percentage collectively accounted for 62% of the total variance in V MAX . These findings agree with several studies performed with recreational, trained and elite runners ( Noakes, Myburgh & Schall, 1990 ; Zacharogiannis & Farrally, 1993 ; Abe et al, 1999 ; Bassett & Howley, 2000 ; Stratton et al, 2009 ; Melo et al, 2022 ; Zillmann et al, 2013 ; Gómez-Molina et al, 2017 ). Noakes, Myburgh & Schall (1990) , considering V MAX as a performance predictor in trained runners, also associated this role to the V 2VT .…”

“…However, many studies have been limited to either trained or elite athletes, thus limiting the generalizability of findings regarding the specific variables determining V MAX in recreationally active runners through low-cost tests with simple instrumentation ( Abe et al, 1999 ; Gómez-Molina et al, 2017 ; Lanferdini et al, 2020 ; McLaughlin et al, 2010 ). Further, very simple measures as body mass, fat mass, previous performance data of training and races may give important clues on performance prediction in distance runners ( Melo et al, 2018 , 2022 ). Allometric models have also been applied to understand the relationship between biomechanics versus running economy and performance ( Detoni et al, 2015 ; Tartaruga et al, 2013 ).…”

Effects of flywheel resistance training on the running economy of young male well-trained distance runners

“…Therefore, to what extent these qualities contributed to the performance gain is not well understood. Meanwhile, we did not observe the relationship between RE and biomechanics, like the alterations to running technique (e.g., stride frequency, stride length) (Tartaruga et al, 2012) and terrain feature (e.g., level, hill) (Melo et al, 2022). Therefore, it is inconclusive regarding the…”