Does Resistance Training Help Running Economy?
A recent study by Millet and colleagues, published in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, reports that heavy resistance training improves maximal strength and running economy. Additionally, no negative effects on maximal aerobic capacity were noted in response to the training protocol. The study’s 15 triathletes were assigned to two groups; group 1 performed a combination of heavy resistance training and endurance training. Group 2 performed only the endurance training protocol. The heavy resistance protocol required subjects to perform resistance training 2 days a week with between 3 – 5 repetitions performed at >90% of one repetition max. The group that performed the resistance training program showed significantly better improvements in running economy, hopping power, and overall muscular strength after the completion of the 14 weeks of combination training compared to performing just endurance training. Therefore based upon this study it appears that the inclusion of a res
