title: Five training sessions improves 3000 meter running performance.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The primary aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of two weeks of endurance training on 3000-meter running performance. Secondary we wanted to assess the relationship between baseline running performance and change in running performance over the intervention period.
  
  
  METHODS
  We assigned 36 military recruits to a training group (N.=28) and a control group. The training group was randomly allocated to one of three sub-groups: 1) a 3000 meter group (test race); 2) a 4x4-minutes high-intensity interval group; 3) a continuous training group. The training group exercised five times over a two-week period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The training group improved its 3000 meter running performance with 50 seconds (6%) compared to the control group (P=0.003). Moreover, all sub-groups improved their performance by 37 to 73 seconds (4-8%) compared to the control group (P<0.037). There was a significant relationship between pretest performance and improvement from pre- to post-test (ρ=-0.65, P<0.001) in the training group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that five endurance training sessions improved 3000 meter running performance and the slowest runners achieved the greatest improvement in running performance.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Teacher Education and Sports, Sogn og Fjordane University College, Sogndal, Norway - amund.riiser@gmail.com.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Riiser
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ripe
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Aadland
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult