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; John P Porcari

doi:10.3390/ijerph18042025

Effect of Running Velocity Variation on the Aerobic Cost of Running

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Feb 19;18(4):2025. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18042025.

Authors

Madeline Ranum¹, Carl Foster¹, Clayton Camic², Glenn Wright¹, Flavia Guidotti³, Jos J de Koning⁴, Christopher Dodge¹, John P Porcari¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Exercise and Sports Science, University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, WI 54601, USA.
² Kinesiology and Physical Education, Northern Illinois University, De Kalb, IL 60115, USA.
³ Institute of Motor Sceinces, University of Rome-Foro Italico, 00135 Rome, Italy.
⁴ Faculty FBW, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

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: cost of running; running; running performance.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Correlation of Data
Humans
Locomotion
Oxygen Consumption*
Running*