6 WEEKS OF TRAINING DOES NOT CHANGE RUNNING MECHANICS OR IMPROVE RUNNING ECONOMY

Running technique and economy (VO2submax) were examined before and aft er a 6-wk period of running training. Fifteen males were filmed and pe rformed 10-min economy runs at 3.36 m . s(-1) on a treadmill. An incre mental treadmill test was used to record running performance and maxim al oxygen consumption (VO2max). Subjects were randomly assigned to a t raining group and a control group that did not participate in any runn ing program. There were no significant changes in kinematic variables between pre- and post-training tests for either group. Neither were th ere any significant physiological changes over the 6 wk in the control group. However, the training group demonstrated a significantly (P < 0.01) increased VO2max (57.7 +/- 6.2 vs 61.3 +/- 6.3 ml . kg(-1). min( -1)) and running performance. VO2submax in the training group was sign ificantly (P < 0.05) worse (41.0 +/- 4.5 vs 42.4 +/- 4.3 ml . kg(-1). min(-1)) post training, although the percent utilization of VO2max (71 .6 +/- 7.9 vs 69.3 +/- 6.9%) and submaximal heart rate (169 +/- 15 vs 161 +/- 15 beats . min(-1)) were significantly lower (P < 0.05). The t raining-induced improvements in running performance could be attribute d to physiological rather than biomechanical modifications. There were no changes in biomechanical descriptors of running style that signale d changes in running economy.