Full Text Available
Note: Clicking the button above will open the full text document at the original institutional repository in a new window.
The effect of supplementary Elliptical training protocols on running performance in trained runners
Recent studies at the University of Cape Town found comparable physiological and metabolic responses between the elliptical trainer, stepper, and treadmill, and a decrease in muscular effort of lower extremity muscles when exercising at similar intensities on the elliptical trainer and stepper in co...
Saved in:
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | Eng |
| Published: |
Department of Human Biology
2025
|
| Subjects: | |
| Tags: |
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1867613457502699520 |
|---|---|
| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Malan, Anna |
| author2 | Bosch, Andrew |
| author_browse | Bosch, Andrew Malan, Anna |
| author_facet | Bosch, Andrew Malan, Anna |
| author_sort | Malan, Anna |
| collection | Thesis |
| description | Recent studies at the University of Cape Town found comparable physiological and metabolic responses between the elliptical trainer, stepper, and treadmill, and a decrease in muscular effort of lower extremity muscles when exercising at similar intensities on the elliptical trainer and stepper in comparison to treadmill running. It was therefore suggested that the elliptical trainer and stepper could be useful substitutes for running when periods of reduced running load are required, such as during rehabilitation from an injury, or as a means to increase running load without the risk for increased injury. It remains unknown whether the elliptical trainer can be used to improve running performance, and thereby maintain cardiovascular fitness, if added to a running training programme. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate whether supplementing existing running training with elliptical training enhances running performance in trained runners. The study was conducted at the Sport Science Institute of South Africa (SSISA). Thirteen trained runners were recruited (male/female: N=11/2, age: 32.8 ± 8.3) to complete PRE and POST assessments of peak treadmill running speed (PTRS), 8-km time trial, and body composition, with assessments of PTRS, 8-km time trial, RPE, and HRmax. Between PRE and POST assessments, participants took part in an 8-week intervention of either additional running, or the same additional training load on the elliptical trainer. Results indicate a significant difference between PRE and POST PTRS as runners increased their peak running speed following the training intervention by 0.4km/h [18.5 ± 1.5 and 18.9 ± 1.5 PRE and POST, respectively] for all participants combined. However, no difference was found between the elliptical training and running training groups. Eightkm time trial, RPE, and HRmax were unchanged. These findings support expectations that the elliptical trainer can be used as a useful modality to both increase running performance and maintain fitness levels when unable to run. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/41093 |
| institution | University of Cape Town (South Africa) |
| language | Eng |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:36:27.395Z |
| license_str | Not specified — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | Department of Human Biology |
| publisherStr | Department of Human Biology |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| spelling | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/41093 The effect of supplementary Elliptical training protocols on running performance in trained runners Malan, Anna Bosch, Andrew Human Biology Recent studies at the University of Cape Town found comparable physiological and metabolic responses between the elliptical trainer, stepper, and treadmill, and a decrease in muscular effort of lower extremity muscles when exercising at similar intensities on the elliptical trainer and stepper in comparison to treadmill running. It was therefore suggested that the elliptical trainer and stepper could be useful substitutes for running when periods of reduced running load are required, such as during rehabilitation from an injury, or as a means to increase running load without the risk for increased injury. It remains unknown whether the elliptical trainer can be used to improve running performance, and thereby maintain cardiovascular fitness, if added to a running training programme. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate whether supplementing existing running training with elliptical training enhances running performance in trained runners. The study was conducted at the Sport Science Institute of South Africa (SSISA). Thirteen trained runners were recruited (male/female: N=11/2, age: 32.8 ± 8.3) to complete PRE and POST assessments of peak treadmill running speed (PTRS), 8-km time trial, and body composition, with assessments of PTRS, 8-km time trial, RPE, and HRmax. Between PRE and POST assessments, participants took part in an 8-week intervention of either additional running, or the same additional training load on the elliptical trainer. Results indicate a significant difference between PRE and POST PTRS as runners increased their peak running speed following the training intervention by 0.4km/h [18.5 ± 1.5 and 18.9 ± 1.5 PRE and POST, respectively] for all participants combined. However, no difference was found between the elliptical training and running training groups. Eightkm time trial, RPE, and HRmax were unchanged. These findings support expectations that the elliptical trainer can be used as a useful modality to both increase running performance and maintain fitness levels when unable to run. 2025-03-04T09:00:16Z 2025-03-04T09:00:16Z 2024 2025-03-04T08:57:10Z Thesis / Dissertation Masters Masters http://hdl.handle.net/11427/41093 Eng application/pdf Department of Human Biology Faculty of Health Sciences University of Cape Town |
| spellingShingle | Human Biology Malan, Anna The effect of supplementary Elliptical training protocols on running performance in trained runners |
| thesis_degree_str | Master's |
| title | The effect of supplementary Elliptical training protocols on running performance in trained runners |
| title_full | The effect of supplementary Elliptical training protocols on running performance in trained runners |
| title_fullStr | The effect of supplementary Elliptical training protocols on running performance in trained runners |
| title_full_unstemmed | The effect of supplementary Elliptical training protocols on running performance in trained runners |
| title_short | The effect of supplementary Elliptical training protocols on running performance in trained runners |
| title_sort | effect of supplementary elliptical training protocols on running performance in trained runners |
| topic | Human Biology |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/11427/41093 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT malananna theeffectofsupplementaryellipticaltrainingprotocolsonrunningperformanceintrainedrunners AT malananna effectofsupplementaryellipticaltrainingprotocolsonrunningperformanceintrainedrunners |