Running economy
Encyclopedia
Running economy is a measure of how efficiently a person uses oxygen
while running at a given pace. Expressed as the rate of oxygen consumption per distance covered (ml/kg/km), running economy is the energy required running submaximally at a given velocity. Those who are able to consume less oxygen while running at a given velocity are said to have a better running economy. Running economy takes into consideration one's body mass and oxygen consumption at a steady state within his aerobic range.
In distance running, an athlete may attempt to improve performance through training designed to improve running economy. Running economy has been found to be a good predictor of race performance; it has been found to be a stronger correlate of performance than maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) in trained runners with the same values (Saunders, 2004). The literature relating to RE is vast and the determinants of RE supported by empirical data.
, describes a number of variables that may affect running economy: vertical motion while running, the ability of the muscles to absorb energy during the shock of landing and transfer it to push-off, biomechanical factors
, technique and type of activity, fitness and training, age, fatigue, gender
, race, weight of clothing and shoes, and environmental conditions.
Alberto Salazar, 3-time winner of the NYC Marathon;
Zersenay Tadese, Current world record holder of half marathon;
Derek Clayton, former marathon world record holder at 2:08:33;
Tom Fleming, 3rd place in Boston Marathon 1979.
Oxygen
Oxygen is the element with atomic number 8 and represented by the symbol O. Its name derives from the Greek roots ὀξύς and -γενής , because at the time of naming, it was mistakenly thought that all acids required oxygen in their composition...
while running at a given pace. Expressed as the rate of oxygen consumption per distance covered (ml/kg/km), running economy is the energy required running submaximally at a given velocity. Those who are able to consume less oxygen while running at a given velocity are said to have a better running economy. Running economy takes into consideration one's body mass and oxygen consumption at a steady state within his aerobic range.
In distance running, an athlete may attempt to improve performance through training designed to improve running economy. Running economy has been found to be a good predictor of race performance; it has been found to be a stronger correlate of performance than maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) in trained runners with the same values (Saunders, 2004). The literature relating to RE is vast and the determinants of RE supported by empirical data.
Factors affecting running economy
In The Lore of Running, Tim Noakes, a professor of exercise and sports science at the University of Cape TownUniversity of Cape Town
The University of Cape Town is a public research university located in Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. UCT was founded in 1829 as the South African College, and is the oldest university in South Africa and the second oldest extant university in Africa.-History:The roots of...
, describes a number of variables that may affect running economy: vertical motion while running, the ability of the muscles to absorb energy during the shock of landing and transfer it to push-off, biomechanical factors
Biomechanics
Biomechanics is the application of mechanical principles to biological systems, such as humans, animals, plants, organs, and cells. Perhaps one of the best definitions was provided by Herbert Hatze in 1974: "Biomechanics is the study of the structure and function of biological systems by means of...
, technique and type of activity, fitness and training, age, fatigue, gender
Gender
Gender is a range of characteristics used to distinguish between males and females, particularly in the cases of men and women and the masculine and feminine attributes assigned to them. Depending on the context, the discriminating characteristics vary from sex to social role to gender identity...
, race, weight of clothing and shoes, and environmental conditions.
Athletes notable for having good running economy
Joan Benoit, 1984 Olympic Women's Marathon Gold Medalist;Alberto Salazar, 3-time winner of the NYC Marathon;
Zersenay Tadese, Current world record holder of half marathon;
Derek Clayton, former marathon world record holder at 2:08:33;
Tom Fleming, 3rd place in Boston Marathon 1979.