Effects of Flywheel Strength Training on the Running Economy of Recreational Endurance Runners

Festa, L, Tarperi, C, Skroce, K, Boccia, G, Lippi, G, La Torre, A, and Schena, F. Effects of flywheel strength training on the running economy of recreational endurance runners. J Strength Cond Res 33(3): 684-690, 2019-Running economy (RE) has been defined as the most important determining factor in endurance performance in both elite and recreational runners. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of flywheel strength training (FST) and high-intensity training (HIT) protocols on RE and strength parameters in a group of recreational runners. Twenty-nine recreational runners were recruited to take part in the study and were randomly assigned to FST (n = 9; 44.5 +/- 6.0 years; V?o(2)max 48.8 +/- 5.2 ml center dot min(-1)center dot kg(-1)), HIT (n = 9; 42.2 +/- 8.6 years; Vo(2)max 50.3 +/- 3.7 ml center dot min(-1)center dot kg(-1)), or low-intensity training (LIT) (n = 11; 45.4 +/- 8.0 years; Vo(2)max 50.2 +/- 6.8 ml min(-1) kg(-1)) groups. Before and after 8 weeks of an experimental period, maximal oxygen uptake (Vo(2)max), ventilatory thresholds (VTs), maximal dynamic force (1 repetition maximum [1RM]), and anthropometric data were evaluated. The FST group showed significant increases (p < 0.05) in 1RM and RE. No differences were found in the other groups. Significative changes are found for all groups on average speed on 2 and 10 km (p < 0.05). Anthropometric data were unchanged after the training period. The results of this study indicate that in recreational runners, FST seems able to obtain improvements in RE and neuromuscular adaptation.