Running Economy: Improvements In Physiological Efficiency Attained Through Changes In Muscle Structural Morphology

Running Economy (RE) is a crucial determinant for running performance. While strategies for improving RE have been determined, the mechanisms governing this phenomenon have eluded the scientific community. My objective was to determine what adaptations, physiological, morphological, or otherwise, occur to bring about the altered RE associated with plyometric training. Specifically this project was designed to examine whether measureable transformations in muscle protein isoform makeup brought on through specific training will result in better RE in moderately trained runners. Participants (n=25) were placed into either a plyometrics-training or control group. All participants underwent similar testing before and after the 6-week training intervention: hydrostatic-weighing, vertical-jump, sit-and-reach, muscle stiffness, Vo2MAX, RE, lactate-threshold, biomechanics, plus titin-protein isoform identification via gel electrophoresis from vastus lateralis biopsies. Post-testing revealed faster running performance for the plyometrics group without concomitant improvements in fitness data. While RE was not altered, anaerobic energy production was curtailed in the plyometrics group, and this correlated significantly to performance gains and titin isoform shifts, with greater proportions of T1:T2 linking to a blunted lactate response and better 3km time trial results.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Montana

Year

2011

Author dc:creator

• Pellegrino, Joseph Kenneth

• Connectin
• Running Economy
• Titin

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/850

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarworks.umt.edu:etd-1869