Date of Award:

5-2012

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Health, Physical Education, and Recreation

Committee Chair(s)

Edward M. Heath

Committee

Edward M. Heath

Committee

Brian T. Larsen

Committee

Dale R. Wagner

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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