Athletic Performance, Exercise Response, Physical Fitness, Running Endurance
Conditions
Keywords
Endurance prescription, HIIT, Recreational runners, Excercise monitoring
Brief summary
The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to compare adherence to training prescription-defined as the percentage of time spent within the prescribed intensity zone-using either a race pace-based method or a heart rate-based method in male and female recreational distance runners. The main research questions are: * Which training prescription method leads to greater adherence in recreational runners? * Which method results in more accurate execution of low- and high-intensity interval training sessions? Participants will undergo anthropometric and physiological assessments to determine training zones based on ventilatory thresholds. In addition, a 5-km time trial will be performed on a standard track to establish individual race pace zones.
Interventions
OTHERRace Pace-based training
Participants complete one week of endurance training based on race pace zones individually determined from a 5-km time trial performance. The program includes both low-intensity continuous runs and high-intensity interval training sessions.
OTHERHeart Rate-Based Training
Participants complete one week of endurance training based on heart rate zones individually determined from ventilatory threshold assessments. The program includes both low-intensity continuous runs and high-intensity interval training sessions.
Sponsors
Universidad Rey Juan Carlos
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 60 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* healthy male and female recreational endurance runners * minimum of four training sessions per week * at least three of consistent endurance training experience
Exclusion criteria
* current smokers * diagnosed metabolic disorders * any cardiovascular, pulmonary, or orthopedic condition that may interfere with exercise performance or safety
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Maximal Oxygen Uptake (VO₂max) | Baseline | VO₂max (mL·kg-¹·min-¹) measured during an incremental treadmill test to volitional exhaustion. Respiratory gases are collected breath-by-breath using a calibrated metabolic cart. The highest 30-second average of VO₂ is taken as VO₂max. |
| Time in Zone - Low-Intensity Training | Week 1 and week 2 | Total time (in minutes and % of intended time in zone) spent within the prescribed low-intensity training zone during each session, as determined by either heart rate (below first ventilatory threshold) or race pace (based on individual 5-km performance). Training zones are predefined per method and monitored via GPS watches and heart rate monitors. |
| Time in Zone - High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) | Week 1 and week 2 | Total time (in minutes and % of intended time in zone) spent within the prescribed high-intensity training zone during interval sessions, based on either heart rate (above second ventilatory threshold) or race pace (percentage of 5-km race pace). Time in zone is extracted from GPS and HR data post-session |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Body weight (kg) and Body Mass Index (BMI kg/m²) | Baseline | These variables will be assessed to monitor changes in general health status and body composition throughout the intervention. Weight and height will be measured using a calibrated bio-electrical impedance analyzer (Tanita MC-780), with an accuracy of ±0.1 kg. Participants will be assessed barefoot, wearing light clothing, after an overnight fast and after voiding. Weight will be recorded in kilograms (kg) and height in meters (m), and BMI will be subsequently calculated as weight divided by height squared (kg/m²). No additional outcome measures will be collected in this assessment session. |
| Ventilatory thresholds | Baseline | Oxygen uptake (VO₂, mL·kg-¹·min-¹) at the first and second ventilatory thresholds measured during an incremental treadmill test. Ventilatory thresholds are determined using standard gas exchange methods (e.g., V-slope, ventilatory equivalents). |
Countries
Spain
Outcome results
None listed