Physiologic and Kinematical Effects of Water Run Training on Running Performance

The purpose of this study was to analyze whether trained competitive runners could maintain running kinematics, cardiorespiratory performance (VO sub(2peak), ventilatory threshold, running economy) and on-land running performance by replacing 30% of conventional training with water run training during 8 weeks. Eighteen runners were divided in two groups: on-land run (OLR Group) and deep water run (DWR Group). The DWR Group replaced 30% of training volume on land with DWR, and the OLR group trained only on land (both groups undertaken workouts 6-7 d.wk super(-1) for a total of 52 sessions). No significant intra- or intergroup differences were observed for VO sub(2peak) in the DWR Group and OLR Group. Similarly, ventilatory threshold second was unaltered in the DWR Group and OLR Group. Regarding running economy (at 14 km.h super(-1)) also, no intra- or intergroup differences were found in the DWR Group (pre = 43.4 plus or minus 5.0, post = 42.6 plus or minus 3.85 ml.kg super(-1).min super(-1)) and OLR Group (pre = 43.9 plus or minus 2.5, post = 42.6 plus or minus 2.6 ml.kg super(-1).min super(-1)). Kinematic responses were similar within and between groups. Water running may serve as an effective complementary training over a period of 8 weeks up to 30% of land training volume for competitive runners.