The Impact of Hill Training on Middle and Long Distance Athletes: With Specific Reference to Oromia Water Works Athletics Club

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Date

2017-06-02

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Addis Ababa University

Abstract

Maximum O2 uptake (VO2 max) and resting heart rate (Rhr) are considered to be best physiological performance indicators that can be attained by hill training. In addition to cardiovascular function, speed endurance and strength endurance are partly detected by neuro-muscular factors. One techniques to improve neuro-muscular activity in athletes is through hill training. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 12 weeks hill training intervention on the performance of club level middle and long distance athletes. The study used a longitudinal and controlled experimental design. To test the hypotheses of the study and to investigate the effect; direct pre and post filed tests were conducted on VO2 max, Rhr, SE, race performance improvement, consistency of the improved performance and status of injury. Thirty two athletes divided randomly in to control and experimental group (n=32;18.8 +3 years, 51.3 + 5.2 kg, 1.68 + 0.05 m) and passed through 12 week of intervention with two session of 40’ - 60’ hill workout a week to the commutative of 16 - 24 hours. During week 0, 6, 12 each subject complete three assessment testes, two records and additional three tests for experimental group at week 16, to assess the consistency of performance. Although the subjects were similar in all aspects prior to the pre-test was performed;12 minute cooper test (VO2 max ), resting heart rate (mean of three 15 sec. Rhr. count x 4), speed endurance (300 m anaerobic threshold test), race time records (from 4th to 16th weeks) and injury report records (from 2nd to 12th week) were administrated. The intervention group show significant improvement in VO2 max, resting heart rate, speed endurance at week 6 (p=0.00, α=0.05) and 12 (p=0.00, α=0.05) and race time but the developed performance at week 16 have showed insignificant change. The control group showed insignificant change at either time points. There were no significant change in injury records between and within groups (p=0.381, α=0.05). The study demonstrate that 12 week of hill training can significantly improve VO2 max, Rhr., speed endurance and race performance in club level middle and long distance athletes and the developed performance is consistent over four week period and hill training by itself was not cause of athletic injury.

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Keywords

Distance Athletes, Hill Training, Vo2 Max, Rhr, Speed Endurance, Coaching Method

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