Concurrent speed endurance and resistance training improves performance, running economy and muscle NHE1 in moderately trained runners

The purpose of this study was to examine whether speed endurance training (SET, repeated 30-s sprints) and heavy resistance training (HRT, 80-90% of 1 repetition maximum) performed in succession are compatible and leads to performance improvements in moderately trained endurance runners. For an 8-week intervention period (INT) 21 male runners (maximum oxygen uptake (VO2-max): 59±1 mL/min/kg; mean ± SE) either maintained their training (CON, n=11) or performed high intensity concurrent training (HICT, n=12) consisting of two weekly sessions of SET followed by HRT and two weekly sessions of aerobic training with an average reduction in running distance of 42%. After 4-weeks of HICT, performance was improved (P<0.05) in a 10-km run (42:30±1:07 vs. 44:11±1:08 min:s) with no further improvement during the last 4 weeks. Performance in a 1500-m run (5:10±0:05 vs. 5:27±0:08 min:s) and in the Yo-Yo IR2 test (706±97 vs. 491±65 m) improved (P<0.001) only following 8 weeks of INT. In HICT, running economy (189±4 vs. 195±4 ml/kg/km), muscle content of NHE1 (35%) and dynamic muscle strength was augmented (P<0.01) after compared to before INT, whereas VO2-max, muscle morphology, capillarization, content of muscle Na(+)/K(+) pump subunits and MCT4 were unaltered. No changes were observed in CON. The present study demonstrates that SET and HRT, when performed in succession, leads to improvements in both short- and long-term running performance together with improved running economy as well as increased dynamic muscle strength and capacity for muscular H(+) transport in moderately trained endurance runners.