Effects of Race Pace Based Approach in Recreational Runners (22HUM23661)

Universidad Rey Juan Carlos

Status: Completed

Conditions: Healthy

Treatments: Other: Heart rate + heart rate variability (HRV); Other: Race pace based approach (RP); Other: Heart rate (HR)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NETWORK

Identifiers

NCT06216314

22HUM-23661 (Other Grant/Funding Number)

1201202302023

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of the study was to compare the performance effects of the intensity demarcation model based on the race pace based approach with the triphasic physiological model and heart rate variability guidelines (HR+HRV)

Full description

After being informed and signing informed consent about the present study, participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups before the intervention phase using a Web-based computer program (www.randomizer.org). Groups were matched on a 1:1:1 basis by gender, age, and performance in an official 10-km race in the previous month. Once selected, participants in the heart rate variability (HRV) group began daily measurements to obtain their personalized parameters.

The groups changed according to the intensity zone demarcation pattern: heart rate (HR), race pace (RP) and HR+HRV. The HR group was considered the active control group, as considered the current best practice according to the current literature in endurance running. A 4-week pre-intervention plus 6-week intervention program was set up.

Participants were assessed in four different sessions, two for laboratory evaluations and two for time trial performance. The first session consisted of a running economy test, and, after at least half an hour of rest, a maximal incremental treadmill run. They familiarised themselves with the training sessions according to their group (i.e., running based on HR, RP or HR+HRV guidelines, respectively).

The HRV4training mobile application (https://www.hrv4training.com) was used to assess HRV for one minute in the morning. The difference in RR intervals between heartbeats is used to calculate HRV. The program then uses this information to calculate the rMSSD and moving average (LnrMSSD7-d), converting the results to a number between 5 and 10. Then, the participant must answer a series of questions including his or her current physical state, sleep quality, muscle soreness, etc. After interpolating these variables, the application shows the subjective value derived from the body's reaction to stresses. As a result, daily indications are given in numerical form, with a range of normality (for HR and HRV) that varies each day depending on how the person reacts to stress. Participants were instructed to take the measurement as soon as they woke up, with an empty bladder, lying down, trying to limit movement, and breathing naturally

Training variables (total time, distance, total time spent in each zone) and Training Impulse (TRIMP) were the same for all groups

Enrollment: 28 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Being adults
• VO2max between 45 and 60 mL·min-1·kg^-1 for men
• VO2max between 40 and 55 mL·min^-1 for women
• More than 4 days per week of training frequency
• Running experience ≥ 2 years
• Record HR data of all training sessions during the study

Exclusion criteria

• Previous injuries for at least three months
• Smokers
• Any cardiovascular condition that compromises health status and participation in the study

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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28 participants in 3 patient groups

Heart rate (HR)

Active Comparator group

Description:

Three physiological zones were established according to the results of the treadmill test. The HR group completed training sessions based on HR values and velocities associated with ventilatory thresholds (i.e., Z1, zone 1: intensity zone below the first ventilatory threshold; Z2: zone 2, intensity zone between the first and second ventilatory threshold; Z3: zone 3, intensity zone above the second ventilatory threshold. Runners trained 4 times a week.

Treatment:

Other: Heart rate (HR)

Race pace based approach (RP)

Experimental group

Description:

For the race pace based approach (RP), intensity zones were established by calculating the percentage of the average speed achieved in the 7-km time trial (TT) and 3 zones were established. Kenneally's model was used to determine the race intensity zones by analyzing 7-km TT performance. Z1 corresponds to less than 80% of race pace, Z2 is between 80-95%, and Z3 corresponds to over 95% of race pace. Runners trained 4 times a week.

Treatment:

Other: Race pace based approach (RP)

Heart rate + heart rate variability (HRV)

Experimental group

Description:

The HR+HRV group completed training sessions based on HR values and velocities associated with ventilatory thresholds (i.e., Z1, zone 1: intensity zone below the first ventilatory threshold; Z2: zone 2, intensity zone between the first and second ventilatory threshold; Z3: zone 3, intensity zone above the second ventilatory threshold. The training sessions were based on physiological thresholds and daily HRV cues. Runners trained 4 times a week.

Treatment:

Other: Heart rate + heart rate variability (HRV)