title: The validity of endurance running performance on the Curve 3(TM) non-motorised treadmill.
abstract: This study aimed to test the validity of a non-motorised treadmill (NMT) for the measurement of self-paced overground endurance running performance. Ten male runners performed randomised 5-km running time trials on a NMT and an outdoor athletics track. A range of physiological and perceptual responses was measured, and foot strike was classified subjectively. Performance time was strongly correlated (r = 0.82, ICC = 0.86) between running modes, despite running time being significantly longer on the NMT (1264 ± 124 s vs. 1536 ± 130 s for overground and NMT, respectively; P < 0.001). End blood lactate concentration and rating of perceived exertion were significantly higher on the NMT compared to overground. Integrated electromyography was significantly lower on the NMT for three muscles (P < 0.05), and mean stride rate was also significantly lower on the NMT (P = 0.04). Cardiorespiratory responses of heart rate, oxygen uptake and expired air volume demonstrated strong correlations (r = 0.68-0.96, ICC = 0.75-0.97) and no statistical differences (P > 0.05). Runners were consistently slower on the NMT, and as such it should not be used to measure performance over a specific distance. However, the strong correlations suggest that superior overground performance was reflected in relative terms on the NMT, and therefore, it is a valid tool for the assessment of endurance running performance in the laboratory.
authors.affiliation: a Applied Sports Science and Exercise Testing Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Information Technology , University of Newcastle , Ourimbah , Australia.
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.forename: Jake
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hacene
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wellham
authors.forename: Dean V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Sculley
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Callister
authors.forename: Lee
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Ben J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Dascombe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004576:Electromyography; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010465:Perception; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019344:Lactic Acid
keywords: endurance training; exercise performance; exercise physiology; pacing strategy; performance test