The validity of endurance running performance on the Curve 3TM non-motorised treadmill |
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| Authors: | Christopher J Stevens Jake Hacene Benjamin Wellham Dean V Sculley Robin Callister Lee Taylor |
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| Institution: | 1. Applied Sports Science and Exercise Testing Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Information Technology, University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, Australia;2. Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia;3. School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia;4. Applied Sport and Exercise Physiology (ASEP) Research Group, Department of Sport Science and Physical Activity, Institute for Sport and Physical Activity Research (ISPAR), University of Bedfordshire, Bedford, UK |
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| Abstract: | This study aimed to test the validity of a non-motorised treadmill (NMT) for the measurement of self-paced overground endurance running performance. Ten male runners performed randomised 5-km running time trials on a NMT and an outdoor athletics track. A range of physiological and perceptual responses was measured, and foot strike was classified subjectively. Performance time was strongly correlated (r = 0.82, ICC = 0.86) between running modes, despite running time being significantly longer on the NMT (1264 ± 124 s vs. 1536 ± 130 s for overground and NMT, respectively; P < 0.001). End blood lactate concentration and rating of perceived exertion were significantly higher on the NMT compared to overground. Integrated electromyography was significantly lower on the NMT for three muscles (P < 0.05), and mean stride rate was also significantly lower on the NMT (P = 0.04). Cardiorespiratory responses of heart rate, oxygen uptake and expired air volume demonstrated strong correlations (r = 0.68–0.96, ICC = 0.75–0.97) and no statistical differences (P > 0.05). Runners were consistently slower on the NMT, and as such it should not be used to measure performance over a specific distance. However, the strong correlations suggest that superior overground performance was reflected in relative terms on the NMT, and therefore, it is a valid tool for the assessment of endurance running performance in the laboratory. |
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| Keywords: | exercise performance exercise physiology endurance training performance test pacing strategy |
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