ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To determine the effect of drafting on running time, physiological response, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) during 3000-m track running. METHODS: Ten elite middle- and long-distance runners performed 3 track-running sessions. The 1st session determined maximal oxygen uptake and maximal aerobic speed using a lightweight ambulatory respiratory gas-exchange system (K4B2). The 2nd and the 3rd tests consisted of nondrafting 3000-m running (3000-mND) and 3000-m running with drafting for the 1st 2000 m (3000-mD) performed on the track in a randomized counterbalanced order. RESULTS: Performance during the 3000-mND (553.59±22.15 s) was significantly slower (P<.05) than during the 3000-mD (544.74±18.72 s). Cardiorespiratory responses were not significantly different between the trials. However, blood lactate concentration was significantly higher (P<.05) after the 3000-mND (16.4±2.3 mmol/L) than after the 3000-mD (13.2±5.6 mmol/L). Athletes perceived the 3000-mND as more strenuous than the 3000-mD (P<.05) (RPE=16.1±0.8 vs 13.1±1.3). Results demonstrate that drafting has a significant effect on performance in highly trained runners. CONCLUSION: This effect could not be explained by a reduced energy expenditure or cardiorespiratory effort as a result of drafting. This raises the possibility that drafting may aid running performance by both physiological and nonphysiological (ie, psychological) effects.
Subject(s)
Physical Endurance/physiology , Running/physiology , Running/psychology , Adult , Biomechanical Phenomena , Energy Metabolism/physiology , Heart Rate , Humans , Lactic Acid/blood , Male , Oxygen Consumption , Perception , Physical Exertion/physiology , Placebo Effect , Pulmonary VentilationABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this research is to study the effects of aging and combined training (sprint and strength) on catecholamine responses [adrenaline (A) and noradrenaline (NA)]. METHODS: Thirty-two male subjects voluntarily participated in this study. They were randomly divided into four groups: A young trained group (age 21.4 ± 1.2 years, YT, n = 8), a young control group (age 21.9 ± 1.9 years, YC, n = 8), a middle-aged trained group (age 40.8 ± 2.8 years, AT, n = 8) and a middle-aged control group (age 40.4 ± 2.0 years, AC, n = 8). YT and AT participated in a high intensity sprint and strength training program (HISST) for 13 weeks. All the participants realized the Wingate-test before (P1) and after (P2) HISST. Plasma A and NA concentrations were determined at rest (A 0, NA0) and at the end of exercise (A max, NAmax). RESULTS: At P1, a significant difference (p < 0.05) in terms of age was observed for NA0 and A 0 between YT and AT and between control groups YC and AC. This age effect disappeared after training when compared YT and AT. After HISST, A max increased significantly (p < 0.05) in YT and AT (from 3.08 ± 0.17 to 3.23 ± 0.34 nmol l(-1) in YT and from 3.23 ± 0.52 to 4.59 ± 0.10 nmol l(-1) in AT). However, NAmax increased significantly (p < 0.05) in AT only (from 3.34 ± 0.31 to 3.75 ± 0.60 nmol l(-1)). A max was highly increased in AT compared to YT (4.59 ± 0.10 vs. 3.23 ± 0.34 nmol l(-1)), respectively. CONCLUSION: The combined training (sprint and strength) appeared to reduce the age effect of the catecholamine response both at rest and in response to exercise.
