Publication Date

1994

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Plowman, Sharon A.

Degree Name

M.S. Ed. (Master of Education)

Legacy Department

Department of Physical Education

LCSH

Running--Training; Running--Physiological aspects

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the physiological and performance effects of a 35-day training taper on male cross-country runners (N = 7; M_ age = 20.63 + 3.58 yrs). Each subject was tested for running economy (at 188, 228, and 268 m- min-i, 7, 8.5,10 mph) and VO2 max on a motor driven treadmill four times immediately prior to and after 21, 28, and 35 days of taper. Competitive race times for 8 kilometers were recorded each weekend following laboratory testing. The reduced training program consisted of a 65% reduction in volume, a 17% reduction in frequency, and an increase from 91% to 96% intensity for the speedwork sessions which comprised approximately 25% of the total miles run. The results of one-way repeated ANOVAs showed no significant difference in oxygen cost at any of the three submaximal velocities (188 m min-i, p = 0.47; 228 m • min-i, p = 0.79; and 268 m • min-i, p = 0.31), or in VO2 max in ml • kg-i ? min-i (p_= 0.96) and VO2 max in 1 • min1 (p = 0.75) over the 35-day reduced training taper. Four of the 7 runners exhibited a shift in lactate threshold (>4 mmol l-i) during the 35-day taper. One subject's threshold decreased from 268 m min i to 228 m min-i, while three of the subjects increased their lactate threshold from 228 m min-i to 268 m min-i at 21, 28, and 35 days of reduced training. Most importantly, the performance data showed a statistically significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the 8 kilometer race times from before reduced training. Times for races at weeks 2 (T14), 4 (T28) and 5 (T35) were all significantly faster than the pre-taper (PT) value. The results of this study indicate that well-trained cross-country runners were able to maintain their physiological fitness and improve their 8 kilometer race times during a tapering period of 35-days following the described program, which emphasized an increase in intensity to compensate for the decrease in total training volume.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references (pages [26]-28).

Extent

vii, 81 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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