title: Effect of intense interval workouts on running economy using three recovery durations.
abstract: The purposes of this study were to determine whether running economy (RE) is adversely affected following intense interval bouts of 10 x 400-m running, and whether there is an interaction effect between RE and recovery duration during the workouts. Twelve highly trained male endurance athletes [maximal oxygen consumption; VO2max = 72.5 (4.3) ml x kg(-1) x min(-1) mean (SD)] performed three interval running workouts of 10 x 400 m with a minimum of 4 days between runs. Recovery duration between the repetitions was randomly assigned at 60, 120 or 180 s. The velocity for each 400-m run was determined from a treadmill VO2max test. The average running velocity was 357.9 (9.0) m x min(-1). Following the workout, the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) increased significantly (P < 0.01) as recovery duration between the 400-m repetitions decreased (14.4, 16.1, and 17.7 at 180s, 120s, and 60 s recovery, respectively). Prior to and following each workout, RE was measured at speeds of 200 and 268 m x min(-1). Changes in RE from pre- to post-workout, as well as heart rate (HR) and respiratory exchange ratio (R) were similar for the three recovery conditions. When averaged across conditions, oxygen consumption (VO2) increased significantly (P < 0.01) from pre- to post-test [from 38.5 to 40.5 ml x kg(-1) x min(-1) at 200 m x min(-1), and from 53.1 to 54.5 ml x kg(-1) x min(-1) at 268 m x min(-1), respectively]. HR increased (from 124 to 138, and from 151 to 157 beats x min(-1) respectively) and R decreased (from 0.90 to 0.78, and from 0.93 to 0.89, respectively) at 200 and 268 m x min(-1), respectively (P < 0.01). This study showed that RE can be perturbed after a high-intensity interval workout and that the changes in VO2, HR and R were independent of the recovery duration between the repetitions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Zavorsky
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Montgomery
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Pearsall
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010807:Physical Endurance; D005082:Physical Exertion; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors