Strength Training Habits in Amateur Endurance Runners in Spain: Influence of Athletic Level
Metadata
Show full item recordAuthor
García-Pinillos, FelipeEditorial
Mdpi
Materia
Long-distance athletes Resistance training Plyometric exercise Running Human physical conditioning
Date
2020-11-05Referencia bibliográfica
García-Pinillos, F., Lago-Fuentes, C., Jaén-Carrillo, D., Bujalance-Moreno, P., Latorre-Román, P. Á., Roche-Seruendo, L. E., & Ramirez-Campillo, R. (2020). Strength Training Habits in Amateur Endurance Runners in Spain: Influence of Athletic Level. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(21), 8184. [doi:10.3390/ijerph17218184]
Abstract
This study determined the strength training (ST) habits of amateur endurance runners in
Spain regarding athletic level. A sixteen-item online questionnaire comprised of (i) demographic
information, (ii) performance, and (iii) training contents was completed by 1179 athletes. Five group
levels were determined according to the personal best times of the athletes in a 10-km trial (LG1: level
group 1, 50–55 min; LG2: level group 2, 45–50 min; LG3: level group 3, 40–45 min; LG4: level group 4,
35–40 min; LG5: level group 5, 30–35 min). Most athletes (n = 735, 62.3%) perceived ST as being a key
component in their training program. Resistance training (RT) was reported as a ST type used by
63.4% of the athletes, 66.9% reported using bodyweight exercises, 46.8% reported using plyometric
training, 65.6% reported using uphill runs, and 17.8% reported using resisted runs. The prevalence
of runners who excluded ST from their training programs decreased as the athletic performance
level increased (18.2% in lower-level athletes vs. 3.0% in higher-level), while the inclusion of RT,
bodyweight exercises, plyometric training, and uphill and resisted runs was more frequent within
higher-level groups. Most athletes included ST using low-to-moderate loads and high a number of
repetitions/sets comprised of RT, plyometric training, resisted runs, and core, respiratory, and foot
muscles training.