27/10/2021
‼️Strength training: What most runners don't do or do well 🏃🏼 ‼️
Understanding how to incorporate strength training for your runners is crucial. The type of running (distance, road vs. trail, etc) and running loads will determine the frequency and style of resistance training.
This recent study by Blagrove and colleagues (2018) provides good insight into how you can prescribe exercise to your runners.
The main take home points:
1️⃣ Strength training increases running economy by 2-8%.
2️⃣ Strength training increases time trial performance by 2-5%.
3️⃣ 18 out of 24 studies found NO change in body mass (from baseline). Whilst control groups has slight decreases in body mass.
4️⃣ Maximal oxygen uptake, blood lactate and body composition appear to be unaffected.
The types of training studied were:
1️⃣ Heavy resistance training: barbell squats, deadlifts etc.
2️⃣ Plyometrics: jumping, hopping and bounding.
3️⃣ Explosive resistance training: Olympic lifts and squat jumps.
✅ The review recommended a combination of heavy resistance and plyometric training, performed 2-3 times per week as having a positive affect on performance.
The limitations:
1️⃣ The studies in the review predominantly selected male runners (352:96).
2️⃣ Studies in the review had an interval validity between 4-6 based on the PEDro rating system.
3️⃣ Lack of detail regarding the runners history of strength training and their running loads.
While there is still a lack of high quality evidence, the general consensus from this review is suggestive of what we believe to be true in clinic and hence these recommendations should be loosely used as a guide along side the specific requirements of an individual runner (goals, running loads, Etc).