Effect of combined strength training and whole body vibration training on running economy

• Grant number: 06/01878-6
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: October 01, 2006
• End date: January 31, 2009
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physical Education
• Principal Investigator: Carlos Ugrinowitsch
• Grantee: Carlos Ugrinowitsch
• Host Institution: Escola de Educação Física e Esporte (EEFE). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Running economy (RE) is determinant for long distance running performance. Such variable is dependent on the neuromuscular stiffness. Conventional strength training (ST) and plyometric training (PT) are classic ways of improving neuromuscular stiffness, thus these are also the current training methods most used to increase RE. Vibration training (WBV) is also thought to increase muscle stiffness, and it consists of submitting skeletal muscles to oscilattory moviments throught a specific vibration apparatus. Some studies have demonstrated that the combination of WBV with ST promotes greater increase in muscle stiffness compared to ST alone. However, it is not known if such combination has also a greater influence on RE. The aim of this study is to verify if the combination of these two methods (WBV+ST) is more efficient then ST alone in improving RE. (AU)