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European Journal of Applied Physiology
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology 5/2014

01-05-2014 | Original Article

Influence of the world’s most challenging mountain ultra-marathon on energy cost and running mechanics

Authors: Gianluca Vernillo, Aldo Savoldelli, Andrea Zignoli, Pietro Trabucchi, Barbara Pellegrini, Grégoire P. Millet, Federico Schena

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 5/2014

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Abstract

Purpose

To examine the effects of the world’s most challenging mountain ultra-marathon (Tor des Géants® 2012) on the energy cost of three types of locomotion (cycling, level and uphill running) and running kinematics.

Methods

Before (pre-) and immediately after (post-) the competition, a group of ten male experienced ultra-marathon runners performed in random order three submaximal 4-min exercise trials: cycling at a power of 1.5 W kg−1 body mass; level running at 9 km h−1 and uphill running at 6 km h−1 at an inclination of +15 % on a motorized treadmill. Two video cameras recorded running mechanics at different sampling rates.

Results

Between pre- and post-, the uphill-running energy cost decreased by 13.8 % (P = 0.004); no change was noted in the energy cost of level running or cycling (NS). There was an increase in contact time (+10.3 %, P = 0.019) and duty factor (+8.1 %, P = 0.001) and a decrease in swing time (−6.4 %, P = 0.008) in the uphill-running condition.

Conclusion

After this extreme mountain ultra-marathon, the subjects modified only their uphill-running patterns for a more economical step mechanics.
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Metadata
Title
Influence of the world’s most challenging mountain ultra-marathon on energy cost and running mechanics
Authors
Gianluca Vernillo
Aldo Savoldelli
Andrea Zignoli
Pietro Trabucchi
Barbara Pellegrini
Grégoire P. Millet
Federico Schena
Publication date
01-05-2014
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 5/2014
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-014-2824-y

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