ABSTRACT
Psychological variables such as motivation, self-efficacy, and anxiety have been widely studied in marathon runners, usually within the framework of Bandura's theory of self-efficacy. It is also assumed a link between self-perceived fitness and physiological performance parameters such as speed at ventilatory thresholds and running economy. The purpose of this paper is to describe longitudinal trends of self-perceptions and examine their link to physiological performance parameters over time. Sixteen healthy recreational marathoners (8 males and 8 females), aged M = 37.6 (SD = 3.9) who were about to participate in a major marathon agreed to participate. After 3 months of regular training and competition in shorter distances, all participants trained during a 16-week macrocycle under the supervision of the same coaching staff. At 4-week intervals, the participants responded five times the Podium questionnaire, measuring self-perceived psychological state relative to the upcoming race, and performed five exercise performance parameters tests. Linear mixed-effects models were used to analyze the trends and associations. In general, Podium questionnaire scores were within the standard range, with the lowest values at the beginning and the highest values closer to race day. Although only perceived fitness (p < 0.001, Cohen's f 2 = 1.19) and somatic anxiety (p < 0.001, f 2 = 0.32) showed large effect sizes for the whole longitudinal period, other partial increases were found between time points. All physiological performance parameters presented significant improvements over time (Aerobic Threshold speed, p < 0.001, f 2 = 1.04; Anaerobic Threshold speed, p < 0.001, f 2 = 0.498; Running Economy in VO2, p < 0.001, f 2 = 0.349; Running Economy in energy, p = 0.024, f 2 = 0.197). The analysis of changes between consecutive time points revealed that improving perceived physical condition predicted improving self-efficacy (p < 0.001, f 2 = 1.33), and improvements in motivation were predicted by improvements in either self-efficacy (p < 0.001, f 2 = 0.36) or perceived physical condition (p = 0.003, f 2 = 0.17). Improvements in perceived fitness, self-efficacy and motivation were associated with small effect-size improvements (decreases) in anxiety. None of the physiological performance parameters was shown to predict changes in psychological variables, although their general trends over time correlated. The results have practical implications for sport psychologists and running coaches, supporting the need for integrated working.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The peaking period for endurance competition is characterized for a relative increase of the intensity of training, after a longer period of training relatively dominated by lower intensity and higher volume. OBJECTIVES: The present study was designed to compare physiological and 10 km performance effects of high intensity training (HIT) versus race pace interval training (RP) during peaking for competition in well-trained runners. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 13 athletes took part in the study, they were divided into two groups: HIT and RP. HIT performed short intervals at ~105% of the maximal aerobic velocity (MAV), while RP trained longer intervals at a speed of ~90% of the MAV (a speed approximating 10 km race pace). After 12 weeks of baseline training, the athletes trained for 6 weeks under one of the two peaking regimes. Subjects performed 10 km prior to and after the intervention period. The total load of training was matched between groups during the treatment phase. Subjects completed a graded treadmill running test until volitional exhaustion prior to each 10 km race. MAV was determined as the minimal velocity eliciting maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). RESULTS: Both groups significantly improved their 10 km time (35 minutes 29 seconds ± 1 minutes 41 seconds vs 34 minutes 53 seconds ± 1 minutes 55 seconds, P < 0.01 for HIT; 35 minutes 27 seconds ± 1 minutes 40 seconds vs 34 minutes 53 seconds ± 1 minutes 18 seconds P < 0.01 for RP). VO2max increased after HIT (69 ± 3.6 vs 71.5 ± 4.2 ml.Kg(-1).min(-1), P < 0.05); while it didn't for RP (68.4 ± 6 vs 69.8 ± 3 ml.Kg(-1).min(-1), p>0.05). In contrast, running economy decreased significantly after HIT (210 ± 6 ml.Kg(-1).km(-1) vs 218 ± 9, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A 6 week period of training at either 105% of MAV or 90% of MAV yielded similar performance gains in a 10km race performed at ~90% MAV. Therefore, the physiological impact of HIT training seems to be positive for VO2max but negative for running economy.
ABSTRACT
El autor plantea la tesis que el problema de la insurgencia tiene relación con el modelo de desarrollo económico que está básicamente basado en dos premisas altamente cuestionables. Una es que desarrollo equivale a desarrollo económico. La otra, que un sistema económico basado en la competencia es el más adecuado a la naturaleza humana. El paradigma económico vigente está vinculado a las condiciones objetivas de la subersión, por las situaciones de pobreza, marginalidad y lucha de clases que origina, estimuladas por la comparación entre los que tienen algo y los que no tienen casi nada. Los medios de comunicación propios de una economía de mercado y la pérdida de importancia de valores que hacian ver la vida eterna como el bien supremo y el tiempo terrenal como una época de prueba, contribuyen en alto grado a relievar la importancia de lo económico en la situación de confrontación de clases que vivimos. Es posible que más que estar ante un problema económico, estemos ante un problema moral. La economía se ha convertido en un fin y no en un medio al servicio del bienestar del hombre, como debería ser. Los economistas no pueden seguir haciendo caso omiso de las consecuencias ética de sus decisiones, pues las tienen y afectan en materia grave el bienestar de gran parte de la población. Frente a este problema la represesión legal y militar no es solo inútil, si las condiciones persisten, sino que puede ser considerada injusta por aquellos que la sufren
