Study the Impact of Short-Term Training on Anthropometric, Physiological and Physical Fitness Variables of Long-Distance Runners
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34256/ijk2515Keywords:
Body Fat, VO2max, Anaerobic Power, Lactate threshold, Training, Running athletesAbstract
Introduction: The impact of structured training on the anthropometric, physiological, and physical fitness variables of long-distance runners is crucial for optimising performance. This study examines how systematic training influences key parameters such as body composition, cardiovascular efficiency, muscular endurance, and overall physical fitness of long-distance runners. Methods: Ninety-eight healthy male volunteers between ages 18 to 20 years (forty eight sedentary controls and fifty long-distance runners) were included randomly from Midnapore, W.B., India. Volunteers underwent a medical check up performed by physicians, and based on their decision, 10 long-distance runners and 08 control subjects were excluded. The rest were divided into (i) the Sedentary Control Group (SCG, n=40) and the Long Distance Runners (LDR, n=40). The long-distance runners received a training program (4 hours/day, 5 days/week for 6 weeks); no training was given to the control group volunteers. The selected anthropometric, physical fitness, and physiological variables were measured at the beginning of the training (baseline data, 0 wk) and at the end (06 wks) of the study and analysed. Results: A significant increase (p<0.05) in VO2max, lung volumes, strength, power, speed, and flexibility; and a reduction (p<0.05) in body fat, sprint time, heart rate (during rest, sub-maximal exercise, and recovery), resting blood pressure, and peak blood lactate were observed after six weeks of training among the long-distance runners. Conclusion: The findings highlight the significance of specialised training programs in improving the performance of long-distance runners by enhancing both physiological and physical efficiency.
References
Andrade, V.L., Zagatto, A.M., Kalva-Filho, C.A., Mendes, O.C., Gobatto, C.A., Campos, E.Z., Papoti, M. (2015). Running-based anaerobic sprint test as a procedure to evaluate anaerobic power. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 36(14): 1156-1162.
Banerjee, B. (2018). Mahajan’s methods in biostatistics for medical students and research workers. The Health Sciences Publisher.
Bangsbo, J., Iaia, F.M., Krustrup, P. (2008). The Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test. Sports Medicine, 38(1): 37-51. https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200838010-00004
Bompa, T., Buzzichelli, C. (2021). Periodization of strength training for sports. Human Kinetics Publishers, New York. https://doi.org/10.5040/9781718225428
Borresen, J., Lambert, M.I. (2008). Autonomic control of heart rate during and after exercise. Sports Medicine, 38(8): 633–646. https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200838080-00002
Bosquet, L., Léger, L., Legros, P. (2001). Blood lactate response to overtraining in male endurance athletes. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 84(1): 107-114. https://doi.org/10.1007/s004210000343
Browning, M.G., Evans, R.K. (2015). The contribution of fat-free mass to resting energy expenditure: Implications for weight loss strategies in the treatment of adolescent obesity. International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health, 27(3): 241–246.
Chandrasekar, S.J.A., Govindasamy, K., Govarthanan, K. (2023). Test and measurement in physical education (8th Ed.). AkiNik Publications, New Delhi. https://doi.org/10.22271/ed.book.2008
Durnin, J.V., Womersley, J. (1974). Body fat assessed from total body density and its estimation from skinfold thickness: Measurements on 481 men and women aged from 16 to 72 years. British Journal of Nutrition, 32(1): 77-97. https://doi.org/10.1079/BJN19740060
Gallucci, M., Carbonara, P., Pacilli, A.M.G., Di Palmo, E., Ricci, G., Nava, S. (2019). Use of symptoms scores, spirometry, and other pulmonary function testing for asthma monitoring. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 7(54): 1-12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2019.00054
Haugen, T., Sandbakk Ø., Seiler S., Tønnessen E. (2022). The Training Characteristics of World-Class Distance Runners: An Integration of Scientific Literature and Results-Proven Practice. Sports Medicine Open, 8 (46): 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-022-00438-7
Kang, H. (2021). Sample size determination and power analysis using the G*Power software. Journal of Educational Evaluation for Health Professions, 18(17): 1-12.https://doi.org/10.3352/jeehp.2021.18.17
Kenneally, M., Casado, A., Santos-Concejero, J. (2018). The effect of periodization and training intensity distribution on middle- and long-distance running performance: A systematic review. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 13(9): 1114–1121. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2017-0327
Khosravi, M., Tayebi, S.M., Safari, H. (2013). Single and concurrent effects of endurance and resistance training on pulmonary function. Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences, 16(4): 628.
Lesinski, M., Schmelcher, A., Herz, M., Puta, C., Gabriel, H., Arampatzis, A. Laube, G., Büsch, D., Granacher, U. (2020). Maturation-, age-, and sex-specific anthropometric and physical fitness percentiles of German elite young athletes. PLoS One, 15(8): e0237423. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0237423
Lum, D., Barbosa, T.M. (2019). Brief review: Effects of isometric strength training on strength and dynamic performance. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 40(6): 363–375. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-0863-4539
Lundstrom, E.A., Williams, N.I., Allaway, H.C.M., Salamunes, A.C.C., De Souza, M.J. (2025). Pre‐Season Energy Deficiency Predicts Poorer Performance During a Competitive Season in Collegiate Female Long‐Distance Runners. European Journal of Sport Science, 25(3): e12261. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsc.12261
McArdle, W.D., Katch, F.I., Katch, V.L. (2015). Essentials of exercise physiology. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore.
Milanović, Z., Sporiš, G., Weston, M. (2015). Effectiveness of high-intensity interval training (HIT) and continuous endurance training for VO2max improvements: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials. Sports Medicine, 45(10): 1469–1481. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-015-0365-0
Muñoz, C.S., Muros, J.J., Belmonte, Ó.L., Zabala, M. (2020). Anthropometric Characteristics, Body Composition and Somatotype of Elite Male Young Runners. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(2): 674. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17020674
Myrkos, A., Smilios, I., Kokkinou, E.M., Rousopoulos, E., Douda, H. (2020). Physiological and Race Pace Characteristics of Medium and Low-Level Athens Marathon Runners. Sports (Basel), 8(9): 116. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports8090116
Scribbans, T.D., Vecsey, S., Hankinson, P.B., Foster, W.S., Gurd, B.J. (2016). The effect of training intensity on VO2max in young healthy adults: A meta-regression and meta-analysis. International Journal of Exercise Science, 9(2): 230. https://doi.org/10.70252/HHBR9374
Seitz, L.B., Reyes, A., Tran, T.T., de Villarreal, E.S., Haff, G.G. (2014). Increases in lower-body strength transfer positively to sprint performance: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Sports Medicine, 44: 1693–1702. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-014-0227-1
Siri, W.E. (1956). The gross composition of the body. Advances in Biological and Medical Physics, 4: 239-280. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-1-4832-3110-5.50011-X
Smarkusz-Zarzecka, J., Ostrowska, L., Leszczyńska, J., Orywal, K., Cwalina, U., Pogodziński, D. (2020). Analysis of the Impact of a Multi-Strain Probiotic on Body Composition and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Long-Distance Runners. Nutrients, 12(12): 3758. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12123758
Thompson, S.W., Lake, J.P., Rogerson, D., Ruddock, A., Barnes, A. (2023). Kinetics and kinematics of the free-weight back squat and loaded jump squat. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 37(1), 1-8.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Soumyadip Ghosh, Sayanjyoti Bera, Kingshuk Ghosh, Pritee Singha, Atanu Jana, Indranil Manna
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Articles published in the International Journal of Kinanthropometry are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided appropriate credit is given to the original authors and the source.
