Harris, A

Pheasey, C

Pheasey, G

Pinner, S

E-space: Manchester Metropolitan University's Research Repository

Data AnalysisA one-tailed paired t-test compared VO2, HR, BLa and DOMSbetween the conditions and a one-way ANOVA with pairwisepost-hoc Bonferroni correction checked for any lap effect.ResultsThe main findings from this study were that average energyusage increased significantly (p < 0.0001) when running withpoles when opposed to the non-pole condition; an increase of7.4%. This however reduced to 4.3% during steep uphilllocomotion (figure 2).Figure 2: Comparison of VO2 by condition, highlighting the narrowing ofenergy usage during the steep uphill section between minutes 8 and 10.The post-test measurements showed a significant reduction inthe measurement of DOMS (p = 0.002), indicating that the use ofpoles could reduce muscle damage (figure 3).ConclusionThe current study supports the hypothesis that pole useincreases CR and that the difference between the two conditionsis reduced when traversing steep hills. However, the increase inCR does appear to be offset by a reduction in self-perceivedmuscle damage. The present findings suggest that pole usecould improve performance during trail ultra-marathons byreducing muscle damage and thus increasing the length of timethat %VO2max could be maintained.Investigating the physiological responses to the use of hiking poles during ultra-marathon trail runningIntroductionEndurance events have increased in popularity over the past30 years and the number of new ultra-endurance eventsbecoming available each year continues to multiply. Bridel,Markula and Denison (2015, Endurance running: A socio-cultural examination. Oxford: Routledge) defined ultra-runningas any distance greater that a standard marathon (26.2 milesor 42.3 km). A trail ultra-marathon mainly consists of countryand woodland paths, mountain trails and can include veryuneven, rocky or muddy ground. Millet, Hoffman and Morin(2012, Journal of Applied Physiology, 113(3), 507-509)reported that despite the increased cost of running (CR)attributed to pole use; the practice was common during trailultra-marathon running. It has been suggested, that theimproved balance and the shifting of load from the lower limbsto the upper body facilitated by poles, could enhanceperformance (Millet et al., 2012).PurposeTo investigate physiological responses whilst running overtypical trail ultra-marathon terrain under two experimentalconditions; with and without hiking poles.MethodThe institutional ethics committee approved the study. Eightexperienced, fit and healthy endurance runners (mean + s.d.;age = 37.8 ± 6.8 years) completed one warm-up and threerecorded laps of a 3.2 km outdoor course designed to berepresentative of a trail ultra-marathon. The course (figure 1)included a steep ascent (average 11%, max 17%) anddescent (average -9.5%, max -15%) and was traversed at afixed average speed of 2.67 m·s-¹ (Daviaux, Hintzy, Samozino& Hughson, 2013, European Journal of Sport Science, 13(5),468-474). Oxygen uptake (VO2), heart rate (HR), bloodlactate (BLa) and delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS)were measured and the variables compared for the twoexperimental conditions completed by participants in arandomised order, 7-days apart.Adam Harris, Sue Pinner, Garry Pheasey and Clare PheaseyHEAL (Health, Exercise, & Active Living) Centre for Research and Knowledge Exchange.Department of Exercise & Sport Science, Manchester Metropolitan UniversityFigure 1:(A) Overhead view of 3.2 kmcourse marked with timingwaypoints, start / finish lineand testing area.(B) Profile of 3.2 km courseshowing elevation andgradient.AB*Figure 3:DOMS measures(scale of 0-6) preand post test withSE (* p = 0.002).*

Investigating the physiological responses to the use of hiking poles during ultra-marathon trail running

https://e-space.mmu.ac.uk/618831/1/C%3A%5CUsers%5CGarry%5CDesktop%5CBASES%202016.pdf

Investigating the physiological responses to the use of hiking poles during ultra-marathon trail running

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

E-space: Manchester Metropolitan University's Research Repository