Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 2002; 23(4): 268-272
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-29083
Physiology and Biochemistry
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Influence of Body Mass and Height on the Energy Cost of Running in Highly Trained Middle- and Long-Distance Runners

S.  Maldonado1 , I.  Mujika1 , S.  Padilla1
  • 1Departamento de Investigación y Desarrollo, Servicios Médicos, Athletic Club de Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain
Further Information

Publication History



October 22, 2001

Publication Date:
14 May 2002 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Previous studies about the influence of body dimensions on running economy have not compared athletes specialized in different competition events. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to assess the influence of body mass (mb) and height (h) on the energy cost of running (Cr) in 38 highly trained male runners, specialized in either marathon (M, n = 12), long middle-distance (5000 - 10000 m, LMD, n = 14) or short middle-distance (800 - 1500 m, SMD, n = 12), and to assess possible differences in body dimensions for each event. Subjects performed a progressive maximal exercise on the treadmill to determine oxygen uptake (V˙O2) at different submaximal velocities and maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O2max). Cr was calculated from V˙O2 measurements. LMD runners had significantly higher mean Cr (0.192 ± 0.007, 0.182 ± 0.009, and 0.180 ± 0.009 ml O2 × kg-1 × m-1 for LMD, M and SMD, respectively) and V˙O2max (74.1 ± 3.7, 68.5 ± 2.9 and 69.7 ± 3.4 ml × kg-1 × min-1). Cr correlated with h (r = -0.86, p < 0.001) and mb (r = -0.77, p < 0.01) only in the SMD group. In conclusion, these data suggest that highly trained distance runners tend to show counterbalancing profiles of running economy and V˙O2max (the higher Cr, the higher V˙O2max and vice versa), and that anthropometric characteristics related with good performance are different in long-distance and middle-distance events.

Key words

Body dimensions - running economy - maximal oxygen uptake - efficiency

References

  • 1 Anderson T. Biomechanics and running economy.  Sports Med. 1996;  22 76-89
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 2 Bourdin M, Pastene J, Germain M, Lacour J R. Influence of training, sex, age and body mass on the energy cost of running.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1993;  66 439-444
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 3 Brandon L J. Physiological factors associated with middle distance running performance.  Sports Med. 1995;  19 268-277
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 4 Brisswalter J, Fougeron B, Legros P. Effect of three hours race walk on energy cost, cardiorespiratory parameters and stride duration in elite race walkers.  Int J Sports Med. 1996;  17 182-186
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 5 Cavanagh P, Kram R. The efficiency of human movement - a statement of the problem.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1985;  17 304-308
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 6 Conley D L, Krahenbuhl G S. Running economy and distance running performance of highly trained athletes.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1980;  12 357-360
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 7 Costill D L, Fox E L. Energetics of marathon running.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1969;  1 81-86
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 8 Dennis S C, Noakes T D. Advantages of a smaller body mass in humans when distance running in warm humid conditions.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1999;  79 280-284
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 9 di Prampero P E. The energy cost of human locomotion on land and in water.  Int J Sports Med. 1986;  7 55-72
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 10 di Prampero P E, Atchou G, Brückner J C, Moia C. The energetics of endurance running.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1986;  55 259-266
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 11 Durnin J VGA, Ramahan M M. The assessment of the amount of fat in the human body from measurements of skinfold thickness.  Br J Nutr. 1967;  21 681-689
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 12 Frederick E C. Scale effects in distance running.  Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 1995;  23 307-319
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 13 Hausswirth C, Brisswalter J. Le coût énergétique de la course à pied de durée prolongée: étude des paramètres d'influence.  Sci Sports. 1999;  14 59-70
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 14 Hawley J A, Hopkins W G. Aerobic glycolytic and aerobic lipolytic power systems. A new paradigm with implications for endurance and ultraendurance events.  Sports Med. 1995;  19 240-250
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 15 Lacour J R, Padilla-Magunacelaya S, Barthelemy J C, Dormois D. The energetics of middle-distance running.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1990;  60 38-43
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 16 Lacour J R, Padilla-Magunacelaya S, Chatard J C, Arsac L, Barthelemy J C. Assesment of running velocity at maximal oxygen uptake.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1991;  62 77-82
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 17 Londeree B R. The use of laboratory test results with long distance runners.  Sports Med. 1986;  3 201-213
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 18 Martín P E, Heise G D, Morgan D W. Interrelationships between mechanical power, energy transfers, and walking and running economy.  Med Sci Sports. 1993;  25 508-515
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 19 Medbo J I, Mohn A C, Tabata I, Bahr R, Vaage O, Sejersted O M. Anaerobic capacity determined by accumulated O2 deficit.  J Appl Physiol. 1988;  64 50-60
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 20 Morgan D W, Daniels J T. Relationship between V˙O2max and the aerobic demand of running in elite distance runners.  Int J Sports Med. 1994;  15 426-429
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 21 Morgan D W, Martin P E, Krahenbuhl G S. Factors affecting running economy.  Sports Med. 1989;  7 310-330
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 22 Padilla Magunacelaya S. Aptitud bioenergética del corredor a pie. Doctoral Dissertation. University of the Basque Country 1990
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 23 Padilla S, Bourdin M, Barthelemy J C, Lacour J R. Physiological correlates of middle-distance running performance.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1992;  65 561-566
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 24 Scholander R F. Analyzer for accurate estimation of respiratory gases in one-half cubic centimeter samples.  J Biol Chem. 1947;  167 235-250
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 25 Sjödin B, Svedenhag J. Applied physiology of marathon running.  Sports Med. 1985;  2 83-99
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 26 Sparling P B. Physiological determinants of distance running performance.  Physician Sports Med. 1984;  12 68-77
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar

I. Mujika

MEDIPLAN SPORT

Obdulio López de Uralde 4 · 01008 Vitoria-Gasteiz · Basque Country · Spain ·

Phone: +34 945 245462

Fax: +34 945 223562

Email: imujika@grn.es