Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 11, 2026

Influence of Step-Width Manipulation on Running Biomechanics
Published on: February 28, 2025
Comparison of running and cycling economy in runners, cyclists, and triathletes
Wannes Swinnen1,2, Shalaya Kipp3, Rodger Kram3
1Locomotion Lab, Integrative Physiology Department, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, USA. swinnen.wannes@gmail.com.
Purpose:
Exercise economy is one of the main physiological factors determining performance in endurance sports. Running economy (RE) can be improved with running-specific training, while the improvement of cycling economy (CE) with cycling-specific training is controversial. We investigated whether exercise economy reflects sport-specific skills/adaptations or is determined by overall physiological factors.
Methods:
We compared RE and CE in 10 runners, 9 cyclists and 9 triathletes for running at 12 km/h and cycling at 200 W. Gross rates of oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production were collected and used to calculate gross metabolic rate in watts for both running and cycling.
Results:
Runners had better RE than cyclists (917 ± 107 W vs. 1111 ± 159 W) (p < 0.01). Triathletes had intermediate RE values (1004 ± 98 W) not different from runners or cyclists. CE was not different (p = 0.20) between the three groups (runners: 945 ± 60 W; cyclists: 982 ± 44 W; triathletes: 979 ± 54 W).
Conclusion:
RE can be enhanced with running-specific training, but CE is independent of cycling-specific training.
More Related Videos
07:59Author Spotlight: Alignment of Synchronized Time-Series Data Using the Characterizing Loss of Cell Cycle Synchrony Model for Cross-Experiment Comparisons
Published on: June 9, 2023
05:46Recording and Analysis of Circadian Rhythms in Running-wheel Activity in Rodents
Published on: January 24, 2013
Related Concept Videos
Wald-Wolfowitz Runs Test II
For binary data, runs are identified using symbols such as + and −, or equivalently, 1s and 0s. In...
Wald-Wolfowitz Runs Test I
The test works...
The Sense of Self: Reflected Self-Appraisal and Social Comparison
What are Biogeochemical Cycles?
The Water Cycle
The Phosphorus Cycle