title: Heavy strength training improves running and cycling performance following prolonged submaximal work in well-trained female athletes.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of adding heavy strength training to female duathletes' normal endurance training on both cycling and running performance. Nineteen well-trained female duathletes (VO2maxcycling: 54 ± 3 ml∙kg-1∙min-1, VO2maxrunning: 53 ± 3 ml∙kg-1∙min-1) were randomly assigned to either normal endurance training (E,n= 8) or normal endurance training combined with strength training (E+S,n= 11). The strength training consisted of four lower body exercises [3 × 4-10 repetition maximum (RM)] twice a week for 11 weeks. Running and cycling performance were assessed using 5-min all-out tests, performed immediately after prolonged periods of submaximal work (3 h cycling or 1.5 h running).E+Sincreased 1RM in half squat (45 ± 22%) and lean mass in the legs (3.1 ± 4.0%) more thanEPerformance during the 5-min all-out test increased in both cycling (7.0 ± 4.5%) and running (4.7 ± 6.0%) inE+S,whereas no changes occurred inEThe changes in running performance were different between groups.E+Sreduced oxygen consumption and heart rate during the final 2 h of prolonged cycling, whereas no changes occurred inENo changes occurred during the prolonged running in any group. Adding strength training to normal endurance training in well-trained female duathletes improved both running and cycling performance when tested immediately after prolonged submaximal work.
authors.affiliation: Section for Sport Sciences, Lillehammer University College, Lillehammer, Norway olav.vikmoen@ffi.no.
authors.forename: Olav
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Vikmoen
authors.affiliation: Section for Sport Sciences, Lillehammer University College, Lillehammer, Norway.
authors.forename: Bent R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Rønnestad
authors.affiliation: Section for Sport Sciences, Lillehammer University College, Lillehammer, Norway.
authors.forename: Stian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ellefsen
authors.affiliation: Deparment of Physical Performance, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Truls
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Raastad
mesh_terms: D056352:Athletes; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D055070:Resistance Training; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Concurrent training; cycling economy; prolonged cycling; prolonged running; running economy