Date of Award:

5-2012

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Health, Physical Education, and Recreation

Advisor/Chair:

Edward M. Heath

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the changes in running economy of collegiate cross-country runners with 6 weeks of training on the PowerCranks ™ independent bicycle crank. Thirteen collegiate cross-country runners completed the study. Participants were asked to perform 6 weeks of training with either the PowerCranks™ device or the standard cranks (control group). Participants trained 3 days per week with a 48-hour minimum rest time between training sessions. Pre- and post-running economy and V02 max test data were collected. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 19 using a paired-samples t test as well as an independent t test. The paired samples I-test results for the participants pre-training running economy in the PowerCranks™ group were 2.98 ± 0.60 Llmin to 3.08 ± 0.59 Llmin post training; p = 0.057, 1= -2.464. The control group for the PowerCranks™ results were 2.68 ± 0.51 Lfmin pre-training, with post training results of2.69 ± 0.57 L/min,p = 0.815, t = -.245. Results for pre-training V02 max were 4. 10 ± 0.72 Llmin to 4.17 ± 0.75 Lll11in post training; p = 0.230, [= -1.366 with the PowerCranks™ group. The control group [or V02 max. results wen: 3.83 ± 1.10 Llmin pre-training with post-training resulting as 3.92 ± 1.09 Llmin,p = .245, t = -1.287. The results of the independent t test also showed that there was no significant change in values for running economy (t = -.112, P = .913) or V02 max (/ = 1.569,p = .145) when PowerCranks™ and control groups were compared. It was concluded that within the limitations of this study, experienced collegiate numers who performed 6 weeks of cross training with the PowerCranks™ independent cycle crank displayed no significant difference in running economy or VOz max results post training.

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

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