Five training sessions improves 3000 meter running performance

• Published in: Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness Vol. 55; no. 12; p. 1452
• Main Authors: Riiser, A, Ripe, S, Aadland, E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Italy Edizioni Minerva Medica 01-12-2015
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Athletic Performance - physiology; Control Groups; Exercise - physiology; Female; Human performance; Humans; Male; Military Personnel; Physical Education and Training - methods; Physical Endurance - physiology; Physical fitness; Pretests Posttests; Running; Running - physiology; Sports training; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0022-4707; 1827-1928

The primary aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of two weeks of endurance training on 3000-meter running performance. Secondary we wanted to assess the relationship between baseline running performance and change in running performance over the intervention period.
We assigned 36 military recruits to a training group (N.=28) and a control group. The training group was randomly allocated to one of three sub-groups: 1) a 3000 meter group (test race); 2) a 4x4-minutes high-intensity interval group; 3) a continuous training group. The training group exercised five times over a two-week period.
The training group improved its 3000 meter running performance with 50 seconds (6%) compared to the control group (P=0.003). Moreover, all sub-groups improved their performance by 37 to 73 seconds (4-8%) compared to the control group (P<0.037). There was a significant relationship between pretest performance and improvement from pre- to post-test (ρ=-0.65, P<0.001) in the training group.
We conclude that five endurance training sessions improved 3000 meter running performance and the slowest runners achieved the greatest improvement in running performance.