Long Distance Running
Conditions
Keywords
Fartlek Training, Hill Circuit Training, Roll-On Training
Brief summary
This randomized controlled trial will compare Fartlek, hill circuit, and roll-on training in well-trained long-distance runners. Twenty-one eligible runners will be randomly assigned to one of three training groups and will complete a 12-week intervention comprising 24 prescribed training sessions. The study will evaluate immediate responses to conditioning, 24-hour recovery responses, and cumulative changes in running performance, aerobic fitness, and training-related responses. Outcomes will include heart rate, blood lactate concentration, rating of perceived exertion, delayed-onset muscle soreness, recovery and wellness indicators, internal training load, 5-km time-trial performance, and VO₂max. The findings will provide evidence regarding the comparative responses to these three conditioning modalities in well-trained long-distance runners.
Detailed description
Long-distance running places substantial physiological and mechanical demands on athletes. Appropriate conditioning is therefore important for developing the capacity to tolerate training stress, recover effectively, and maintain or improve running performance. Different conditioning modalities may impose distinct physiological and mechanical demands, which may result in differences in immediate exercise responses, post-exercise recovery, training load, and longer-term adaptation. This randomized controlled trial will compare three conditioning modalities. Fartlek training, hill circuit training, and roll-on training in well-trained long-distance runners. Twenty-one eligible runners will be randomly allocated to one of three parallel training groups: the Fartlek Training Group, Hill Circuit Training Group, or Roll-On Training Group. Each group will complete its assigned conditioning modality for 12 weeks, comprising 24 prescribed training sessions. The study will examine three dimensions of response to conditioning. Immediate responses will include physiological and perceptual responses measured during or immediately after training. Residual responses will focus on recovery-related responses during the 24 hours following conditioning sessions. Cumulative responses will examine changes that develop over repeated exposure to the training intervention, including changes in running performance and aerobic fitness. Repeated measurements will be collected throughout the intervention to characterize responses to the three conditioning modalities. Measures will include heart rate, blood lactate concentration, rating of perceived exertion, delayed-onset muscle soreness, recovery and wellness indicators, internal training load, 5-km time-trial performance, and VO₂max. Training-load measures will be derived from session rating of perceived exertion and session duration and will be used to characterize the training demands accumulated during the intervention. The study will compare the response patterns among the three intervention groups to determine whether Fartlek, hill circuit, or roll-on training produces different immediate, residual, and cumulative responses in well-trained long-distance runners. The findings are intended to contribute evidence for the selection and progression of conditioning modalities while considering training stimulus, recovery, and performance-related responses.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALFartlek training
A structured variable-intensity running intervention administered for 12 weeks to trained long-distance runners. Each prescribed session includes standardized warm-up and cool-down periods, alternating faster and slower running at prescribed intensities, and prescribed recovery periods. Running duration, intensity, repetitions, recovery intervals, and workload progression are standardized according to the study protocol. Training sessions are supervised, and exercise intensity is monitored using heart rate, rating of perceived exertion, running pace, and prescribed workload.
BEHAVIORALHill Circuit
A structured hill-running and circuit-based training intervention administered for 12 weeks to trained long-distance runners. Each prescribed session includes standardized warm-up and cool-down periods, repeated uphill running bouts, running-based circuit exercises, and prescribed recovery intervals. Hill gradient, running duration, repetitions, exercise intensity, recovery intervals, and workload progression are standardized according to the study protocol. Exercise intensity is monitored using heart rate, rating of perceived exertion, running pace, and prescribed workload.
BEHAVIORALRoll-On
A structured progressive running intervention administered for 12 weeks to trained long-distance runners. Each prescribed session includes standardized warm-up and cool-down periods, controlled running with planned gradual increases and decreases in running speed, and prescribed recovery periods where applicable. Running duration, speed progression, intensity, repetitions, recovery intervals, and workload progression are standardized according to the study protocol. Exercise intensity is monitored using heart rate, rating of perceived exertion, running pace, and prescribed workload.
Sponsors
Debre Markos University
Bahir Dar University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
Outcome assessors are blinded to participants' intervention group assignments during outcome assessment.
Intervention model description
Participants are randomly allocated to one of three parallel training groups: Fartlek Training Group (FTG), Hill Circuit Training Group (HCTG), or Roll-On Training Group (ROTG). Each group receives its assigned training modality for 12 weeks, with outcomes assessed at baseline, Week 6, and Week 12.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
18 Years to 25 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Male long-distance runners aged 18-25 years VO₂max greater than 60 mL/kg/min Weekly training volume of at least 60 km Training experience of at least 4 years Mercier score greater than 600 Currently engaged in regular long-distance running training Willing to participate in the 12-week training intervention Able to complete all required testing and monitoring procedures Provides written informed consent to participate in the study
Exclusion criteria
Current musculoskeletal injury that prevents participation in training or testing Known cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, or other medical condition that limits strenuous exercise Current illness or condition that prevents participation in the intervention Use of medication or other treatment that may substantially affect exercise performance or physiological responses Failure to meet the required training or eligibility criteria Planned absence that would prevent adequate participation in the intervention Withdrawal of informed consent Any condition identified by the research team that makes continued participation unsafe
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 5-km Time-Trial Performance | Baseline week 6 and Week 12 | Change in 5-km time-trial completion time from baseline to Week 6 and Week 12, comparing the Fartlek Training Group (FTG), Hill Circuit Training Group (HCTG), and Roll-On Training Group (ROTG). |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 5-km Performance Score | Baseline and Week 12 | Change in performance score calculated using the applicable World Athletics scoring table based on 5-km time-trial performance from baseline to Week 12, comparing FTG, HCTG, and ROTG. |
| Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) | Immediately after each training session during Weeks 1-12 | Session rating of perceived exertion will be measured using the OMNI perceived-exertion scale immediately following each conditioning session. |
| Complete Blood Count (CBC) | Baseline, Week 6, and Week 12 | Change in selected hematological parameters, including hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cell count parameters. |
| VO₂max | Baseline, Week 6, and Week 12 | Change in maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max), measured in mL/kg/min, from baseline to Week 6 and Week 12, comparing FTG, HCTG, and ROTG. |
| Blood Lactate Concentration | Immediately pre-training and post-training during intervention sessions in Weeks 1-12 | Change in blood lactate concentration, measured in mmol/L, immediately following prescribed conditioning sessions to characterize the acute physiological response to Fartlek, Hill Circuit, and Roll-On training. |
| Heart Rate Response | During each training session during Weeks 1-12 | Change in average and maximum heart rate during prescribed conditioning sessions to characterize the acute cardiovascular response to Fartlek, Hill Circuit, and Roll-On training. |
Contacts
CONTACTAwoke Tibebu, MSc.
STUDY_DIRECTORAlemayehu, PHd
University of Gonder
STUDY_CHAIRGashaw, PHd
Bahir Dar University
Outcome results
None listed