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Comparison of running and cycling economy in runners, cyclists, and triathletes

European Journal of Applied Physiology, ISSN: 1439-6319, Vol: 118, Issue: 7, Page: 1331-1338
2018
  • 16
    Citations
  • 0
    Usage
  • 155
    Captures
  • 0
    Mentions
  • 59
    Social Media
Metric Options:   Counts1 Year3 Year

Metrics Details

  • Citations
    16
  • Captures
    155
  • Social Media
    59
    • Shares, Likes & Comments
      59
      • Facebook
        59

Article Description

Purpose: Exercise economy is one of the main physiological factors determining performance in endurance sports. Running economy (RE) can be improved with running-specific training, while the improvement of cycling economy (CE) with cycling-specific training is controversial. We investigated whether exercise economy reflects sport-specific skills/adaptations or is determined by overall physiological factors. Methods: We compared RE and CE in 10 runners, 9 cyclists and 9 triathletes for running at 12 km/h and cycling at 200 W. Gross rates of oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production were collected and used to calculate gross metabolic rate in watts for both running and cycling. Results: Runners had better RE than cyclists (917 ± 107 W vs. 1111 ± 159 W) (p < 0.01). Triathletes had intermediate RE values (1004 ± 98 W) not different from runners or cyclists. CE was not different (p = 0.20) between the three groups (runners: 945 ± 60 W; cyclists: 982 ± 44 W; triathletes: 979 ± 54 W). Conclusion: RE can be enhanced with running-specific training, but CE is independent of cycling-specific training.

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