The durability of running economy: a new frontier in endurance performance
A new PhD thesis investigates the concept of “durability”—the capacity to maintain physiological efficiency during prolonged exercise—in well-trained male runners. It challenges the classical model of endurance performance by examining how running economy (RE), alongside VO2max and lactate threshold, deteriorates over time due to fatigue. The research explores how factors like performance level, training characteristics, and strength training influence RE durability and fatigued performance, proposing that mitigating these declines is a key, previously overlooked, determinant of success in long-distance events.
Why it might matter to you:
This work directly refines the physiological models used to understand and predict endurance performance, a core concept in exercise physiology. For a practitioner designing training programs, it shifts focus from isolated metrics to their sustainability under fatigue, which is critical for optimizing performance in sports like football where high-intensity efforts must be repeated. It provides a scientific framework for integrating strength training and fatigue-resistance strategies, moving beyond traditional endurance paradigms.
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