Effectiveness of cycle cross-training between competitive seasons in female distance runners.
The purpose of this study was to examine whether substituting 50% of run training volume with cycling ("cross-training") would maintain 3,000-m race time and estimated Vo(2)max in competitive female distance runners during a 5-week recuperative phase. Eleven collegiate runners were randomly assigned to either the run training-only (R) group (n = 6) or the cycle training (R/C) group (n = 5), which cross-trained on alternate days. The groups trained daily at a reduced intensity (75-80% of maximum heart rate). Training volume was similar to the competitive season (40-50 mi x wk(-1)) except that cycling represented 50% of volume for the R/C group. On follow-up, 3,000-m time was 1.4% (9 seconds) slower in the R group and 3.4% (22 seconds) slower in the R/C group. No important change in estimated Vo(2)max was found for either group. It was concluded that cycle cross-training adequately maintained aerobic performance during the recuperative phase between the cross-country and track seasons, comparable to the primary sport of running.
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California 93407, USA. lwhite@hhp.ufl.edu
Lesley J
LJ
White
Rudolph H
RH
Dressendorfer
Susan M
SM
Muller
Michael A
MA
Ferguson
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D011336:Probability; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012621:Seasons; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity