Pilot Study to Investigate the Effects of Step-rate Manipulation on Running Economy at a Performance Pace in Elite Male Distance Runners

Pilot Study to Investigate the Effects of Step-rate Manipulation on Running Economy at a Performance Pace in Elite Male Distance Runners

Presenter(s)

Noah Clemens

Comments

9:00-10:15, Kennedy Union Ballroom

Description

Background: Step-rate (SR) is a spatiotemporal gait variable representing the number of steps taken per minute while running. Manipulating SR is thought to improve running economy (RE) or reduce injury risk. Research on SR manipulation for RE has focused on recreational athletes or highly trained athletes performing at slow speeds, with limited research exploring competition speeds.Purpose: This study piloted a protocol for determining the most economical SR of highly trained individuals at fast speeds. Methods: Five highly trained male distance runners participated. A graded maximal exercise test determined the speed at anaerobic threshold (AT) as well as the maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) for each subject. The participants returned to complete another running protocol, which consisted of eight 4-minute trials, with two minutes of rest between each trial. The trials were completed at each participant’s speed at AT, and seven step-rate conditions ranging from 9% below self-selected to 9% above self-selected were cued with a metronome. Oxygen consumption was collected.Results: Our sample had an average VO2max of 69.075 ml/kg/min putting them in the 99.5th percentile. The speed at AT varied, with speeds ranging from 10.2 m/s to 12 m/s. Optimal SR was identified for three out of five participants. If participants were unable to achieve a range of SRs, optimal SR could not be determined.Conclusion: Our inclusion criteria and trial duration are appropriate. Though speed at AT was varied, selecting a common trial speed slightly below the average speed at AT may allow for better SR adherence. Adjusting the SR conditions to cover a wider range of achievable values may allow optimal SR to be estimated for more participants. Most participants exhibited the expected relationship between SR and RE, suggesting that this methodology can be applied to a larger sample in a future study.

Publication Date

4-23-2025

Project Designation

Honors Thesis

Primary Advisor

Matthew J. Beerse, Dorian Borbonus, Lauren N. Miutz

Primary Advisor's Department

Health and Sport Science

Keywords

Stander Symposium, School of Education and Health Sciences

Institutional Learning Goals

Scholarship

Pilot Study to Investigate the Effects of Step-rate Manipulation on Running Economy at a Performance Pace in Elite Male Distance Runners

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