ECONOMY IN RUNNING
The reason we turn to this topic is a continuous discussion
on Pose Tech running forum about relations between the Pose
Method and running economy. The cause of this discussion was
an article in Journal of Sports Sciences (J Sports Sci. 2005
Jul;23(7):757-64.) Effect of a global alteration of running
technique on kinematics and economy, Dallam GM, Wilber RL,
Jadelis K, Fletcher G, Romanov N., with a conclusion that
the global change in running mechanics associated with 12
weeks of instruction in the pose method resulted in a decrease
in stride length, a reduced vertical oscillation in comparison
with the control group and a decrease of running economy in
triathletes.
This conclusion was the base for many speculations about
the value of the Pose Method for long distance running. Needless
to say that practical application of the Pose Method showed
improvement in racing performance for all athletes from beginners
to elite, but this science statement is still a dominant topic
in discussions about the value of the Pose Method for running
endurance.
This article is not written in defense of the Pose Method,
it is not necessary, but to clear up our understanding of
the term running economy and its real meaning in our training
and performance. The question is: Is running economy the cause
or the effect? If its the effect we can develop it by training.
And it seems to be the case, because after we run lots of
mileage, we begin to consume less oxygen.
In sport science, as we know, economy has been defined by
numerous researches as the oxygen cost of exercising at a
standard, predetermined velocity ( Sleivert G.G. Endurance
in Sport. Edited by R.J. Shephard & P.-O.Astrand. Blackwell
Science, 2000, p.872).
This means that: The lower the VO2submax at a given running
speed, the better the individuals running economy. At the
same time there is another statement: Because running economy
has been thoroughly studied for only three decades, any long
term trend for elite runners cannot be assessed (Svedenhag
J. Endurance Conditioning. In Endurance in Sport. Edited by
R.J. Shephard & P.-O.AstrandBlackwell Science, 2000, p.402.
A famous South African sport scientist, Tim Noakes, adds
to this that: At present our understanding of all the factors
that determine running economy is incomplete (Lore of Running,
Oxford University Press, 2001, p.76).
This is a situation with running economy in modern sport
and exercise science. On the one hand, it is a seemingly important
and valuable parameter determining our training and racing
success in running, but on the other hand, we still dont have
a complete understanding of it.
So, when we are talking about running economy, we should
at least remember and accept the present state of affairs
with this problem. Another question is: Do we really need
to be so much concerned about economy? If its just a consequence
of more mileage of running, then what is the problem? But
economy doesnt get better just by running more, and we know
this through our experience and common sense, as well.
A more important thing is: Do we run faster the distance
we want to perform, if we have better economy? In this case
the question we mentioned above comes back: Is running economy
the cause or the effect, and if its the effect, then the effect
of what? In other words: Does improved economy make you run
faster or do you become more economical because you start
running faster?
These are good questions to think about. Just a historical
fact of how many people instantly started to run under 4 minutes
a mile after the record was broken by Roger Bannister, gives
us a different vision of where running economy is coming from.
Certainly, I do not deny the importance of all other factors
influencing running economy in this or that way, but I just
wanted to share these serious considerations about our mind
and its influence on top performance.
Dr.Romanov
Pose
running website
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