Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 14, 2025
08:26
Comparative Analysis of Lower Limb Kinematics between the Initial and Terminal Phase of 5km Treadmill Running
Published on: July 17, 2020
6.3K
Performance determinants, running energetics and spatiotemporal gait parameters during a treadmill ultramarathon
Christopher C F Howe1, Nicola Swann2, Owen Spendiff2
1School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry, Faculty of Science Engineering and Computing, Kingston University London, Penryhn Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2EE, UK. c.howe@kingston.ac.uk.
European Journal of Applied Physiology
|March 11, 2021
Summary
Maintaining a higher fractional utilization of oxygen (F) and minimizing the increase in the energy cost of running (Cr) are key to improving treadmill ultramarathon performance. These factors explained 61% of the variance in finish times.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Science
- Human Performance
Background:
- Ultramarathon running presents unique physiological challenges.
- Understanding metabolic and biomechanical changes during prolonged running is crucial for performance optimization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in metabolic variables, running energetics, and gait parameters during an 80.5 km treadmill ultramarathon.
- To identify key predictive variables for ultramarathon performance.
Main Methods:
- Twelve participants completed an 80.5 km treadmill time trial.
- Indirect calorimetry measured oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, and ventilation.
- Tri-axial accelerometry assessed spatiotemporal gait parameters (stride length, cadence).
Main Results:
- Significant increases in oxygen consumption, energy cost of running (Cr), fractional utilization of oxygen (F), and ventilation were observed.
- Respiratory exchange ratio decreased significantly, while stride length and cadence remained unchanged.
- Fractional utilization of oxygen (F) and energy cost of running (Cr) explained 61% of the variance in finish time.
Conclusions:
- Treadmill ultramarathons induce significant physiological and biomechanical adaptations.
- Higher fractional utilization of oxygen (F) and strategies to minimize increased energy cost of running (Cr) are vital for maximizing performance.
- These findings offer insights for training and race strategies in ultramarathon running.
