Effects of Step-rate Manipulation on Running Economy at a Performance Pace in Elite Male Distance Runners

Effects of Step-rate Manipulation on Running Economy at a Performance Pace in Elite Male Distance Runners

Presenter(s)

Noah Clemens

Comments

1:00-1:20, Kennedy Union 310

Description

Background: Running economy (RE) is a key performance variable for distance runners, as greater efficiency improves performance. Step-rate (SR) represents the number of steps taken per minute while running and is commonly manipulated to improve running economy or reduce injury risk. Research shows that highly trained individuals are not self-selecting their most economical step-rate when running at slow speeds, but no available research has examined highly trained individuals running near competition velocities.Purpose: This study aimed to determine if highly trained male distance runners self-optimize their SR at an ecologically valid performance pace.Methods: Twelve highly trained male participants 22.5+/-3.7 (M+/-SD) years of age completed this study. The protocol consisted of nine 4-minute trials of running at 4.96 m/s, with two minute rest periods. In the first trial, participants self-selected their SR. In the following eight trials, a metronome cued different SR. Oxygen consumption (VO2) was collected for each trial. VO2 was plotted against SR and a line of best fit was used to estimate each participant’s most economical SR.Results: Eight participants were included in the analysis. Optimal SR could not be determined for four due to an inability to match a wide range of cued SRs. Participants’ selected SR (M+/-SD; 186+/-7.56 steps/minute) was higher than their optimal SR (M+/-SD; 179.15+/-9.07 steps/minute); however, this difference was not significant (p=0.1417). Participants were more economical at their optimal SR than their self-selected SR, but not significantly so (p=0.07476). The mean difference of 0.7665 mL/kg/min represented a 1.3% improvement in RE at the optimal SR.Conclusion: Our results suggest highly trained runners do not self-select their optimal SR. The 1.3% improvement in running economy leads to an expected improvement in race velocity of roughly 1%. This equates to roughly a 30 second difference over the half-marathon distance – a meaningful difference to competitors.

Publication Date

4-23-2025

Project Designation

Honors Thesis

Primary Advisor

Matthew J. Beerse, Lauren N. Miutz

Primary Advisor's Department

Health and Sport Science

Keywords

Stander Symposium, School of Education and Health Sciences

Institutional Learning Goals

Scholarship

Effects of Step-rate Manipulation on Running Economy at a Performance Pace in Elite Male Distance Runners

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