Fellow runners & Aiken Running Club members:

 

I am seeking volunteers to participate as subjects in an upcoming study investigating the effects of resistance training on peak running velocity in recreational runners. You have likely met me at an ARC meeting, where I routinely lecture on exercise science topics pertaining to running and endurance sports.

 

Peak running velocity, or PRV, is defined as the final velocity attained for at least 5 seconds’ duration during an incremental running test at 0% grade. PRV has been shown to be highly related to distance running performance and has been shown to be a better predictor of performance than VO2peak (often considered to be a powerful predictor of cardiovascular fitness). Resistance training is one possible training intervention which may yield improvements in PRV.

 

This study will involve having your peak running velocity measured on a treadmill, here at USCA, followed by 8 weeks of resistance training (strength training) on a twice-a-week basis, and then having your peak running velocity measured again at the end of the 8-week period. The resistance training sessions will include running-specific exercises, should not take more than 30-40 minutes per session, and must be performed on non-consecutive days. As you can see, in addition to your regular running regimen, the total time commitment is relatively small. All study procedures will be conducted at the USCA Wellness Center and Exercise Physiology Lab.

 

Benefits of participation in this study include the determination of important physiological data which may be used to develop more accurate training plans for your own running, namely peak running velocity. Additionally, you will have your body composition assessed, as well as receive instruction on how to perform several effective exercises which may help to improve your running.

 

To participate in the study, you must:

-          Be a recreational runner (not a sponsored or professional runner). Any weekly mileage is acceptable, however.

-          Not be currently engaged in a regular resistance training regimen (no regular strength training for the last 2-3 months)

-          Be at least 18 years of age or older (all age groups are eligible and encouraged)

 

If interested, or should you wish to learn more about the details of the study, please contact me, Patrick Gélinas at any of the coordinates below. Also, if you know of other runners in the USCA/Aiken community who might like to participate, please do not hesitate to encourage them to contact me. I would appreciate it tremendously. I look forward to hearing back from you!

 

Thanks for your consideration, and happy trails!

 

Patrick

Patrick O. Gélinas, M.S., CSCS

Instructor, Department of Exercise and Sports Science

University of South Carolina Aiken

471 University Parkway

Aiken, SC 29801

Office: B&E 132

Tel: (803) 641-3207

Fax: (803) 641-3723

E-mail: patrickg@usca.edu