Abstract
Race walking can be considered as a long-distance performance and it can be described as the technical and athletic expression of fast walking. The physiological determinants of these performances have been well documented; moreover, several recent studies demonstrated that concurrent strength and endurance training can improve performance in endurance athletes. Thus, the purpose of this report was to monitor the adaptations of a combined strength, performed by circuit resistance training (CRT), and endurance programme in two top level female race walkers. The subjects were examined before and after 12 weeks of CRT and endurance training and performed an incremental field test to determine maximum oxygen uptake (.VO2max), running economy (RE) and lactate threshold (LT). The results showed that 12 weeks of combined CRT and endurance programme did not correspond to an alteration in.VO2max and RE, while improvements in LT and 5-km performance were seen.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Rose J, Gamble JG (2006) Human walking. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, USA, p 2
Cavagna GA, Franzetti P (1981) Mechanics of competition walking. J Physiol 315:243–251
Menier DR, Pugh LGCE (1968) The relation of oxygen intake and velocity of walking and running, in competition walkers. J Physiol 197:717–721
Basset DR Jr, Howley ET (2000) Limiting factors for maximum oxygen uptake and determinants of endurance performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 32:70–84
Billat VL, Demarle A, Slawinski J et al (2001) Physical and training characteristics of top-class marathon runners. Med Sci Sports Exerc 33:2089–2097
Noakes TD, Myburgh KH, Schall R (1990) Peak treadmill running velocity during the \( \dot VO_{2max} \) test predicts running performance. J Sports Sci 8:35–45
Tanaka K, Matsuura Y (1984) Marathon performance, anaerobic threshold and onset of blood lactate accumulation. J Appl Physiol 57:640–643
Conley DL, Krahenbuhl GS (1980) Running economy and distance running performance of highly trained athletes. Med Sci Sports Exerc 12:357–360
Morgan DW, Baldini FD, Martin PE, Kohrt WM (1989) Ten kilometres performance and predicted velocity at \( \dot VO_{2max} \) among welltrained male runners. Med Sci Sports Exerc 21:79–83
di Prampero PE, Atchou G, Brückner JC, Moia C (1986) The energetics of endurance running. Eur J Appl Physiol 55:259–266
Noakes TD (1988) Implications of exercise testing for prediction of athletic performance: a contemporary perspective. Med Sci Sports Exerc 20:319–330
Green HJ, Patla AE (1992) Maximal aerobic power: neuromuscular and metabolic considerations. Med Sci Sports Exerc 24:38–46
Paavolainen L, Häkkinen K, Hämäläinen I et al (1999) Explosive strength training improves 5-km running time by improving running economy and muscle power. J Appl Physiol 86:1527–1533
Houmard JA, Costill DL, Mitchell JB et al (1991) The role of anaerobic ability in middle distance running performance. Eur J Appl Physiol 62:40–43
Noakes TD (2000) Physiological models to understand exercise fatigue and the adaptations that predict or enhance athletic performance. Scand J Med Sci Sports 10:123–145
Sinett AM, Berg K, Latin RW, Noble JM (2001) The relationship between field tests of anaerobic power and 10-km run performance. J Strength Cond Res 15:405–412
La Torre A, Impellizzeri FM, Dotti A, Arcelli E (2005) Do Caucasian athletes need to resign themselves to African nomination in long and middle distance running? New Studies in Athletics 20:39–49
Bouchard C, Rankinen T (2001) Individual differences in response to regular physical activity. Med Sci Sports Exerc 33[Suppl]: S446–451; discussion S452–453
Larsen HB (2003) Kenyan dominance in distance running. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 136:161–170
Scott RA, Wilson RH, Goodwin WH et al (2005) Mitochondrial DNA lineages of elite Ethiopian athletes. Comp Biochem Physiol Biochem Mol Biol 140:497–503
Scott RA, Moran C, Wilson RH et al (2005) No association between angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene variation and endurance athlete status in Kenyans. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 14:169–175
Kayser B (2003) Exercise starts and ends in the brain. Eur J Appl Physiol 90:411–419
Saltin B, Kim CK, Terrados N et al (1995) Morphology, enzyme activities and buffer capacity in leg muscles of Kenyan and Scandinavian runners. Scand J Med Sci Sports 5:222–230
Scott RA, Georgiades E, Wilson RH et al (2003) Demographic characteristics of elite Ethipian endurance runners. Med Sci Sports Exerc 35:1727–1732
Coetzer P, Noakes TD, Sanders B et al (1993) Superior fatigue resistance of elite black South African distance runners. J Appl Physiol 75:1822–1827
Saunders PU, Telford RD, Pyne DB et al (2004) Improved running economy in elite runners after 20 days of simulated moderate-altitude exposure. J Appl Physiol 96:931–937
Schmidt W (2002) Effects of intermittent exposure to high altitude on blood volume and erythropoietic activity. High Alt Med Biol 3:167–176
Hunter G, Demment R, Miller D (1987) Development of strength and maximum oxygen uptake during simultaneous training for strength and endurance. J Sports Med Phys Fit 27:269–275
Paavolainen L, Häkkinen K, Rusko H (1991) Effects of explosive type strength training on physical performance characteristics in cross-country skiers. Eur J Appl Physiol 62:251–255
Dudley GA, Djamilj R (1985) Incompatibility of endurance and strength-training modes of exercise. J Appl Physiol 59:1446–1451
Hickson RC (1980) Interference of strength development by simultaneously training for strength and endurance. Eur J Appl Physiol 215:255–263
Hickson, RC, Rosenkoetter AM, Brown MM (1980) Strength training effects on aerobic power and short-term endurance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 12:336–339
Hoff J, Gran A, Helgerud J (2002) Maximal strength training improves aerobic endurance performance. Scand J Med Sci Sports 12:288–295
Johnston RE, Quinn TJ, Kertzer R, Vroman NB (1997) Strength training in female distance runners: impact on running economy. J Strength Cond Res 11:224–229
Spurrs RW, Murphy AJ, Watsford ML (2003) The effect of plyometric training on distance running performance Eur J Appl Physiol 89:1–7
Mikkola J, Rusko H, Nummela A et al (2007) Concurrent endurance and explosive type strength training increases activation and fast force production of leg extensor muscles in endurance athletes. J Strength Cond Res 21:613–620
Mikkola J, Rusko H, Nummela A et al (2007) Concurrent endurance and explosive type strength training increases improves neuromuscular and anaerobic characteristics in young distance runners. Int J Sport Med; 28:602–611
Saunders PU, Telford RD, Pyne DB et al (2006) Short-term plyometric training improve running economy in highly trained middle and long distance runners. J Strength Cond Res 20:947–954
Turner AM, Owings M, Schwane JA (2003) Improvement in running economy after 6 weeks of plyometric training. J Strength Cond Res 17:60–67
Bishop D, Jenkins DG (1999) The effects of strength training on endurance performance and muscle characteristics. Med Sci Sports Exerc 31:886–891
Jung AP (2003) The impact of resistance training on distance running performance. Sports Med 33:539–552
Marcinik EJ, Potts J, Schlabach G et al (1991) Effects of strength training on lactate threshold and endurance performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 23:739–743
Ballor DL, Becque MD, Katch VL (1987) Metabolic response during hydraulic resistance exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc 19:363–367
Katch FI, Freedson PS, Jones CA (1985) Evaluation of acute cardiorespiratory responses to hydraulic resistance exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc 17:168–173
Chtara M, Chaouachi A, Levin GT et al (2008) Effect of concurrent endurance and circuit resistance training sequence on muscular strength and power development. J Strength Cond Res 22:1037–1045
Alcaraz PE, Sánchez-Lorente J, Blazevich AJ (2008) Physical performance and cardiovascular responses to an acute bout of heavy resistance circuit training versus traditional strength training. J Strength Cond Res 22:667–671
Mader A, Liesen H, Heck H et al (1976) Zur Beutreilung der sportspezifischen Ausdauerleistungsfähigkeit im Labor. Sportarzt Sportmed 27:80–88/109–112
Einsenmann JC, Brisko N, Shadrik D, Welsh S (2003) Comparative analysis of the Cosmed Quark b2 and K4b2 gas analysis systems during submaximal exercise. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 43:150–155
McLaughlin JE, King GA, Howley ET et al (2001) Validation of the COSMED K4 b2 portable metabolic system. Int J Sports Med 22:280–284
Pyne DB, Boston T, Martin DT, Logan A (2000) Evaluation of the Lactate Pro blood lactate analyser. Eur J Appl Physiol 82:112–116
Nummela AT, Paavolainen LM, Sharwood KA et al (2006) Neuro muscular factors determining 5 km running performance and running economy in well-trained athletes. Eur J Appl Physiol 97:1–8
Häkkinen K, Alen M, Kraemer WJ et al (2003) Neuromuscular adaptations during concurrent strength and endurance training versus strength training. Eur J Appl Physiol 89:42–52
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
La Torre, A., Vernillo, G., Fiorella, P. et al. Combined endurance and resistance circuit training in highly trained/top-level female race walkers: a case report. Sport Sci Health 4, 51–58 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-008-0067-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-008-0067-1