Date of Award:

5-2012

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Kinesiology and Health Science

Department name when degree awarded

Health, Physical Education, and Recreation

Committee Chair(s)

Edward M. Heath

Committee

Edward M. Heath

Committee

Brian T. Larsen

Committee

Dale R. Wagner

Abstract

In the competitive sport world, the goal to become number one is what all athletes desire and train to obtain. Athletes and coaches are constantly looking for the new techniques to put their athlete atop of the podium. With that in mind, what is the new training technique that will accomplish that goal of success? Distance runners are always looking for the new training techniques that will accomplish that goal. Cross training, using one type of exercise to enhance another unrelated, is one way that athletes are constantly exploring to see if this can be successful.

Cycling is just one of those cross training techniques that needs to be explored more to see if desired results may be obtained. Along with that, by adding a new factor, independent crank cycle training may just be the one routine that may make an athlete more economical while he or she runs. Previous studies with independent cycle cranks have been performed to see the benefit of altering cycle training to see if greater results may be achieved. However, by adding this training technique to distance runners, in comparison to standard cycle training, increased results may be achieved and discovered.

The purpose of this stndy was to investigate the effects of independent crank cycling training on collegiate distance runners and see if an increase of running economy may be achieved. By increasing a runner's economy a runner may be able to increase his or her performance due to the decrease in energy that would be required come race time. Thirteen collegiate cross country distance runners participated in the stndy. Each participant was randomly selected to train in either the independent crank group or the standard crank control group. All 13 participants performed a standard VO2 max test and running economy test to obtain a baseline for the study. Each participant then trained on either the independent or standard crank 3 times a week for 6 weeks. The participants were then retested post training to see if any change in economy resulted. The results showed no significant change post training or when compared to the standard crank group.

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Comments

This work made publicly available electronically on May 11, 2012.

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