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Updated: Jul 15, 2026
11:15
Determining the Contribution of the Energy Systems During Exercise
Published on: March 20, 2012
Running economy : the forgotten factor in elite performance
1Department of Exercise and Sports Science, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601, USA. foster.carl@uwlax.edu
Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)
|May 1, 2007
Summary
Running economy, a key factor in performance, is less understood than maximal oxygen uptake. Elite East African runners may possess better running economy due to physiological and anatomical factors, with high-intensity training potentially improving it.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Science
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Running performance is multifactorial, influenced by maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), VO2max sustainability, and running economy.
- Running economy, defined as steady-state oxygen consumption (VO2) below the ventilatory threshold, is a critical yet less-studied determinant of performance.
- Current assessment methods involve extrapolating VO2 to a standard speed or per kilometer run.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the factors contributing to running economy.
- To investigate potential differences in running economy among populations, such as individuals of East African origin.
- To identify potential strategies for enhancing running economy.
Main Methods:
- Measuring steady-state oxygen uptake (VO2) at sub-ventilatory threshold intensities.
- Assessing running economy by extrapolating VO2 to a common running speed (268 m/min) or VO2 per kilometer.
- Comparing running economy across different populations and exploring correlations with anthropometric factors.
Main Results:
- Individuals of East African origin may exhibit systematically superior running economy.
- Smaller body size and thinner lower legs appear to be significant contributing factors to enhanced running economy in certain populations.
- High-intensity running may be a key element in strategies aimed at improving running economy.
Conclusions:
- Running economy is a crucial, under-researched component of running performance.
- Anthropometric differences, particularly in East African runners, play a role in running economy.
- Further research into effective strategies, potentially involving high-intensity training, is needed to improve running economy.
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