Training-intensity Distribution on Middle- and Long-distance Runners: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Training-intensity distribution (TID) is considered the key factor to optimize performance in endurance sports. This systematic review aimed to: I) characterize the TID typically used by middle-and long-distance runners; II) compare the effect of different types of TID on endurance performance and its physiological determinants; III) determine the extent to which different TID quantification methods can calculate same TID outcomes from a given training program. The keywords and search strategy identified 20 articles in the research databases. These articles demonstrated differences in the quantification of the different training-intensity zones among quantification methods (i. e. session-rating of perceived exertion, heart rate, blood lactate, race pace, and running speed). The studies that used greater volumes of low-intensity training such as those characterized by pyramidal and polarized TID approaches, reported greater improvements in endurance performance than those which used a threshold TID. Thus, it seems that the combination of high-volume at low-intensity (≥ 70% of overall training volume) and low-volume at threshold and high-intensity interval training (≤ 30%) is necessary to optimize endurance training adaptations in middle-and long-distance runners. Moreover, monitoring training via multiple mechanisms that systematically encompasses objective and subjective TID quantification methods can help coaches/researches to make better decisions.

Key words

polarized training - pyramidal training - threshold training - periodization - endurance

Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 11. Januar 2021

Angenommen: 19. Juli 2021

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
08. November 2021

• References

• 1 Bellinger P, Arnold B, Minahan C. Quantifying the training-intensity distribution in middle-distance runners: The influence of different methods of training-intensity quantification. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2019; 15: 319-323
• 2 Nelson MJ, Bellenger CR, Thomson RL. et al. Optimisation of assessment of maximal rate of heart rate increase for tracking training-induced changes in endurance exercise performance. Sci Rep 2020; 10: 2528
• 3 Mujika I. Quantification of training and competition loads in endurance sports: methods and applications. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2017; 12: S29-S217
• 4 Bellinger P. Functional overreaching in endurance athletes: A necessity or cause for concern?. Sports Med 2020; 50: 1059-1073
• 5 Cadegiani FA, Kater CE. Hormonal aspects of overtraining syndrome: A systematic review. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil 2017; 9: 14
• 6 Manzi V, Bovenzi A, Castagna C. et al. Training-load distribution in endurance runners: objective versus subjective assessment. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2015; 10: 1023-1028
• 7 Stöggl TL, Sperlich B. The training intensity distribution among well-trained and elite endurance athletes. Front Physiol 2015; 6: 295
• 8 Carnes AJ, Mahoney SE. Polarized versus high-intensity multimodal training in recreational runners. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2018; 14: 105-112
• 9 Kenneally M, Casado A, Santos-Concejero J. The effect of periodization and training intensity distribution on middle-and long-distance running performance: A systematic review. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2018; 13: 1114-1121
• 10 Bourgois JG, Bourgois G, Boone J. Perspectives and determinants for training-intensity distribution in elite endurance athletes. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2019; 14: 1151-1156
• 11 Jones AM, Kirby BS, Clark IE. et al. Physiological demands of running at 2-hour marathon race pace. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2020; 30: 369-379
• 12 Joyner MJ, Hunter SK, Lucia A. et al. Physiology and fast marathons. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2020; 28: 1065-1068
• 13 Mann T, Lamberts RP, Lambert MI. Methods of prescribing relative exercise intensity: Physiological and practical considerations. Sports Med 2013; 43: 613-625
• 14 Jamnick NA, Pettitt RW, Granata C. et al. An examination and critique of current methods to determine exercise intensity. Sports Med 2020; 50: 1729-1756
• 15 Clemente Suárez VJ, González-Ravé JM. Four weeks of training with different aerobic workload distributions–Effect on aerobic performance. Eur J Sport Sci 2014; 14: S1-S7
• 16 Clemente Suárez VJ, Dalamitros AA, Nikolaidis PT. The effect of a short-term training period on physiological parameters and running performance: Intensity distribution versus constant-intensity exercise. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2018; 58: 1-7
• 17 Düking P, Holmberg H-C, Kunz P. et al. Intra-individual physiological response of recreational runners to different training mesocycles: A randomized cross-over study. Eur J Appl Physiol 2020; 120: 2705-2713
• 18 Enoksen E, Shalfawi SA, Tønnessen E. The effect of high-vs. low-intensity training on aerobic capacity in well-trained male middle-distance runners. J Strength Cond Res 2011; 25: 812-818
• 19 Esteve-Lanao J, Foster C, Seiler S. et al. Impact of training intensity distribution on performance in endurance athletes. J Strength Cond Res 2007; 21: 943-949
• 20 Esteve-Lanao J, San Juan AF, Earnest CP. et al. How do endurance runners actually train? Relationship with competition performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2005; 37: 496-504
• 21 Farrell JW, Dunn A, Cantrell GS. et al. Effects of group running on the training intensity distribution of collegiate cross-country runners. J Strength Cond Res 2021; 35: 2862–2869
• 22 Festa L, Tarperi C, Skroce K. et al. Effects of different training intensity distribution in recreational runners. Front Sports Act Living 2020; 1: 70
• 23 Muñoz I, Seiler S, Bautista J. et al. Does polarized training improve performance in recreational runners?. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2014; 9: 265-272
• 24 Sanders D, Myers T, Akubat I. Training-intensity distribution in road cyclists: Objective versus subjective measures. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2017; 12: 1232-1237
• 25 Kenneally M, Casado A, Gomez-Ezeiza J. et al. Training intensity distribution analysis by race pace vs. physiological approach in world-class middle-and long-distance runners. Eur J Sport Sci 2021; 21: 819-826
• 26 Billat V, Lepretre P-M, Heugas A-M. et al. Training and bioenergetic characteristics in elite male and female Kenyan runners. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2003; 35: 297-304
• 27 Billat VL, Flechet B, Petit B. et al. Interval training at VO₂max: Effects on aerobic performance and overtraining markers. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1999; 31: 156-163
• 28 Tjelta LI, Enoksen E. Training characteristics of male junior cross country and track runners on European top level. Int J Sports Sci Coach 2010; 5: 193-203
• 29 Billat VL, Demarle A, Slawinski J. et al. Physical and training characteristics of top-class marathon runners. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2001; 33: 2089-2097
• 30 Enoksen E, Tjelta AR, Tjelta LI. Distribution of training volume and intensity of elite male and female track and marathon runners. Int J Sports Sci Coach 2011; 6: 273-293
• 31 Kindermann W, Simon G, Keul J. The significance of the aerobic-anaerobic transition for the determination of work load intensities during endurance training. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 1979; 42: 25-34
• 32 Skinner JS, Mclellan TH. The transition from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism. Res Q Exerc Sport 1980; 51: 234-248
• 33 Galbraith A, Hopker J, Cardinale M. et al. A 1-year study of endurance runners: Training, laboratory tests, and field tests. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2014; 9: 1019-1025
• 34 Zinner C, Schäfer DO, Sperlich B. Mesocycles with different training intensity distribution in recreational runners. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2018; 50: 1641-1648
• 35 Robinson DM, Robinson SM, Hume PA. et al. Training intensity of elite male distance runners. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1991; 23: 1078-1082
• 36 Seiler S. What is best practice for training intensity and duration distribution in endurance athletes?. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2010; 5: 276-291
• 37 Seiler KS, Kjerland GØ. Quantifying training intensity distribution in elite endurance athletes: Is there evidence for an “optimal” distribution?. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2006; 16: 49-56
• 38 Foster C, Daines E, Hector L et al. Athletic performance in relation to training load. Wis Med J 1996; 95: 370–374
• 39 Hydren JR, Cohen BS. Current scientific evidence for a polarized cardiovascular endurance training model. J Strength Cond Res 2015; 29: 3523-3530
• 40 Rosenblat MA, Perrotta AS, Vicenzino B. Polarized vs. threshold training intensity distribution on endurance sport performance: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Strength Cond Res 2019; 33: 3491-3500
• 41 Stöggl T, Sperlich B. Polarized training has greater impact on key endurance variables than threshold, high intensity, or high volume training. Front Physiol 2014; 5: 33
• 42 Casado A, Hanley B, Santos-Concejero J. et al. World-class long-distance running performances are best predicted by volume of easy runs and deliberate practice of short interval and tempo runs. J Strength Cond Res 2021; 35: 2525–2531
• 43 Casado A, Hanley B, Ruiz-Pérez LM. Deliberate practice in training differentiates the best Kenyan and Spanish long-distance runners. Eur J Sport Sci 2019; 20: 887-895
• 44 Liberati A, Altman DG, Tetzlaff J. et al. The PRISMA statement for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses of studies that evaluate health care interventions: explanation and elaboration. PLoS Med 2009; 6: e1000100
• 45 Brown P, Brunnhuber K, Chalkidou K. et al. How to formulate research recommendations. BMJ 2006; 333: 804-806
• 46 Thompson SW, Rogerson D, Ruddock A. et al. The effectiveness of two methods of prescribing load on maximal strength development: A systematic review. Sports Med 2020; 50: 919-938
• 47 Marocolo M, Simim MAM, Bernardino A. et al. Ischemic preconditioning and exercise performance: Shedding light through smallest worthwhile change. Eur J Appl Physiol 2019; 119: 2123-2149
• 48 Downs SH, Black N. The feasibility of creating a checklist for the assessment of the methodological quality both of randomised and non-randomised studies of health care interventions. J Epidemiol Community Health 1998; 52: 377-384
• 49 Van Velzen J, van Bennekom CA, Polomski W. et al. Physical capacity and walking ability after lower limb amputation: A systematic review. Clin Rehabil 2006; 20: 999-1016
• 50 Boullosa D, Esteve-Lanao J, Casado A. et al. Factors affecting training and physical performance in recreational endurance runners. Sports (Basel) 2020; 8: 35
• 51 Tjelta LI. Three Norwegian brothers all European 1500 m champions: What is the secret?. Int J Sports Sci Coach 2019; 14: 694-700
• 52 Mujika I. Intense training: The key to optimal performance before and during the taper. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2010; 20: 24-31
• 53 Mujika I, Padilla S. Scientific bases for precompetition tapering strategies. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2003; 35: 1182-1187
• 54 Bachero-Mena B, González-Badillo JJ. Mechanical and metabolic responses during high-intensity training in elite 800-m Runners. Int J Sports Med 2021; 42: 350-356
• 55 Bellinger P, Derave W, Lievens E. et al. Determinants of last lap speed in paced and maximal 1500-m time trials. Eur J Appl Physiol 2021; 121: 525-537
• 56 González-Mohíno F, González-Ravé JM, Juárez D. et al. Effects of continuous and interval training on running economy, maximal aerobic speed and gait kinematics in recreational runners. J Strength Cond Res 2016; 30: 1059-1066
• 57 Saunders PU, Pyne DB, Telford RD. et al. Factors affecting running economy in trained distance runners. Sports Med 2004; 34: 465-485
• 58 Jones AM, Burnley M. Oxygen uptake kinetics: An underappreciated determinant of exercise performance. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2009; 4: 524-532
• 59 Noakes TD, Myburgh KH, Schall R. Peak treadmill running velocity during the VO₂max test predicts running performance. J Sports Sci 1990; 8: 35-45
• 60 Renfree A, Casado A, Pellejero G. et al. More pace variation and pack formation in successful world-class 10 000-m runners than in less successful competitors. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2020; 15: 1369-1376
• 61 Lehmann M, Gastmann U, Petersen K. et al. Training-overtraining: performance, and hormone levels, after a defined increase in training volume versus intensity in experienced middle-and long-distance runners. Br J Sports Med 1992; 26: 233-242
• 62 Lehmann M, Schnee W, Scheu R. et al. Decreased nocturnal catecholamine excretion: Parameter for an overtraining syndrome in athletes?. Int J Sports Med 1992; 13: 236-242
• 63 Boullosa DA, Abreu L, Varela-Sanz A. et al. Do olympic athletes train as in the Paleolithic era?. Sports Med 2013; 43: 909-917
• 64 Galán-Rioja MÁ, González-Mohíno F, Poole DC. et al. Relative proximity of critical power and metabolic/ventilatory thresholds: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Med 2020; 50: 1771-1783
• 65 Fusco A, Knutson C, King C. et al. Session RPE during prolonged exercise training. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2020; 15: 292-294
• 66 Gilman M. The use of heart rate to monitor the intensity of endurance training. Sports Med 1996; 21: 73-79
• 67 Lambert M, Mbambo Z, Gibson ASC. Heart rate during training and competition for longdistance running. J Sports Sci 1998; 16: 85-90
• 68 Foster C, Anholm JD, Bok D. et al. Generalized approach to translating exercise tests and prescribing exercise. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol 2020; 5: 63
• 69 Jeans EA, Foster C, Porcari JP. et al. Translation of exercise testing to exercise prescription using the talk test. J Strength Cond Res 2011; 25: 590-596
• 70 Parfitt G, Evans H, Eston R. Perceptually regulated training at RPE13 is pleasant and improves physical health. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2012; 44: 1613-1618
• 71 Woltmann ML, Foster C, Porcari JP. et al. Evidence that the talk test can be used to regulate exercise intensity. J Strength Cond Res 2015; 29: 1248-1254
• 72 Foster C, Boullosa D, McGuigan M. et al. 25 Years of session rating of perceived exertion: Historical perspective and development. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2021; 16: 612-621
• 73 Foster C, Heimann, Kara M etal. Differences in perceptions of training by coaches and athletes. S Afri J Sports Med 2001; 8: 3–7
• 74 Swart J, Lamberts RP, Lambert MI. et al. Exercising with reserve: Exercise regulation by perceived exertion in relation to duration of exercise and knowledge of endpoint. Br J Sports Med 2009; 43: 775-781
• 75 Fusco A, Sustercich W, Edgerton K. et al. Effect of progressive fatigue on session RPE. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol 2020; 5: 15
• 76 Edge J, Bishop D, Goodman C. The effects of training intensity on muscle buffer capacity in females. Eur J Appl Physiol 2006; 96: 97-105
• 77 Jones AM, Burnley M, Black MI. et al. The maximal metabolic steady state: redefining the ‘gold standard’. Physiol Rep 2019; 7: e14098
• 78 Boullosa D, Esteve-Lanao J, Seiler S. Potential confounding effects of intensity on training response. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2019; 51: 1973-1974
• 79 Renfree A, Casado A, McLaren S. Re-thinking athlete training loads: Would you rather have one big rock or lots of little rocks dropped on your foot?. Res Sports Med 2021;
• 80 Foster C, Rodriguez-Marroyo JA, De Koning JJ. Monitoring training loads: the past, the present, and the future. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2017; 12: S22-S28
• 81 Tønnessen E, Sylta Ø, Haugen TA. et al. The road to gold: training and peaking characteristics in the year prior to a gold medal endurance performance. PIoS One 2014; 9: e101796
• 82 Asadi A. Use of rating of perceived exertion for determining plyometric exercises intensity in physically active men. Sport Sci Health 2014; 10: 75-78
• 83 McGuigan MR, Foster C. A new approach to monitoring resistance training. Strength Cond J 2004; 26: 42-47
• 84 Harriss D, MacSween A, Atkinson G. Ethical standards in sport and exercise science research: 2020 update. Int J Sports Med 2019; 40: 813-817