Background

The running performance of middle-distance and long-distance runners is determined by factors such as maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max), velocity at VO₂max (vVO₂max), maximum metabolic steady state (MMSS), running economy, and sprint capacity. Strength training is a proven strategy for improving running performance in endurance runners. However, the effects of different strength training methods on the determinants of running performance are unclear.

Objective

The aim of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to compare the effect of different strength training methods (e.g., high load, submaximal load, plyometric, combined) on performance (i.e., time trial and time until exhaustion) and its determinants (i.e., VO₂max, vVO₂max, MMSS, sprint capacity) in middle-distance and long-distance runners.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted across electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed, SPORTDiscus, SCOPUS). The search included articles indexed up to November 2022, using various keywords combined with Boolean operators. The eligibility criteria were: (1) middle- and long-distance runners, without restriction on sex or training/competitive level; (2) application of a strength training method for ≥ 3 weeks, including high load training (≥ 80% of one repetition maximum), submaximal load training (40–79% of one repetition maximum), plyometric training, and combined training (i.e., two or more methods); (3) endurance running training control group under no strength training or under strength training with low loads (< 40% of one repetition maximum); (4) running performance, VO₂max, vVO₂max, MMSS and/or sprint capacity measured before and after a strength training intervention program; (5) randomized and non-randomized controlled studies. The certainty of evidence was assessed using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach. A random-effects meta-analysis and moderator analysis were performed using Comprehensive meta-analysis (version 3.3.0.70).

Results

The certainty of the evidence was very low to moderate. The studies included 324 moderately trained, 272 well trained, and 298 highly trained athletes. The strength training programs were between 6 and 40 weeks duration, with one to four intervention sessions per week. High load and combined training methods induced moderate (effect size = − 0.469, p = 0.029) and large effect (effect size = − 1.035, p = 0.036) on running performance, respectively. While plyometric training was not found to have a significant effect (effect size = − 0.210, p = 0.064). None of the training methods improved VO₂max, vVO₂max, MMSS, or sprint capacity (all p > 0.072). Moderators related to subject (i.e., sex, age, body mass, height, VO₂max, performance level, and strength training experience) and intervention (i.e., weeks, sessions per week and total sessions) characteristics had no effect on running performance variables or its determinants (all p > 0.166).

Conclusions

Strength training with high loads can improve performance (i.e., time trial, time to exhaustion) in middle-distance and long-distance runners. A greater improvement may be obtained when two or more strength training methods (i.e., high load training, submaximal load training and/or plyometric training) are combined, although with trivial effects on VO₂max, vVO₂max, MMSS, or sprint capacity.

中文翻译：

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力量训练方法对中长跑运动员运动表现的影响：荟萃分析的系统评价

背景

中长跑运动员的跑步成绩取决于最大摄氧量（V O _{2 max）、} V O ₂ max速度（v V O ₂ max）、最大代谢稳态（MMSS）、跑步经济性和冲刺能力。力量训练是一种行之有效的提高耐力跑者跑步表现的策略。然而，不同力量训练方法对跑步表现决定因素的影响尚不清楚。

客观的

本系统综述与荟萃分析的目的是比较不同力量训练方法（例如高负荷、次最大负荷、增强式训练、组合训练）对表现（即计时赛和力竭前时间）的影响及其决定因素（即、V O ₂ max、v V O ₂ max、MMSS、冲刺能力）（中长跑运动员）。

方法

在电子数据库（Web of Science、PubMed、SPORTDiscus、SCOPUS）中进行了系统检索。搜索包括截至 2022 年 11 月索引的文章，使用各种关键字与布尔运算符相结合。参赛资格标准为：（1）中长跑运动员，性别、训练/比赛水平不限； (2)应用力量训练方法≥3周，包括高负荷训练(≥一次重复最大负荷的80%)、次最大负荷训练(一次重复最大负荷的40-79%)、增强式训练和组合训练(即，两种或多种方法）； (3)无力量训练或低负荷力量训练(<1次重复最大值的40%)下的耐力跑训练对照组； (4)在力量训练干预计划之前和之后测量的跑步表现、V O ₂ max、v V O ₂ max、MMSS和/或冲刺能力； (5)随机和非随机对照研究。使用 GRADE（建议评估、制定和评估分级）方法评估证据的确定性。使用综合荟萃分析（版本 3.3.0.70）进行随机效应荟萃分析和调节分析。

结果

证据的质量非常低到中等。这些研究包括 324 名接受过中等训练的运动员、272 名训练有素的运动员和 298 名训练有素的运动员。力量训练计划持续 6 至 40 周，每周进行 1 至 4 次干预训练。高负荷和组合训练方法 分别对跑步表现产生中等影响（效应大小 = − 0.469，p  = 0.029）和较大影响（效应大小 = − 1.035，p = 0.036）。虽然增强式训练并未发现有显着效果（效果大小 = − 0.210，p  = 0.064）。所有训练方法均未改善V O ₂ max、v V O ₂ max、MMSS 或冲刺能力（所有p  > 0.072）。与受试者（即性别、年龄、体重、身高、最大摄氧量、表现水平和力量训练经验）和干预（即周数、每周训练次数和总训练次数）特征相关的调节因素_对跑步表现没有影响变量或其决定因素（所有p  > 0.166）。

结论

高负荷力量训练可以提高中长跑运动员的表现（即计时赛、力竭时间）。当两种或多种力量训练方法（即高负荷训练、次最大负荷训练和/或增强式训练）结合时，可以获得更大的改进，尽管对V O ₂ max、v V O ₂ max、MMSS、或冲刺能力。