Study note • PMID 27497600
Explosive Training and Heavy Weight Training are Effective for Improving Running Economy in Endurance Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Low risk + high feasibility for most athletes.
ELI5
In plain language
To evaluate the effect of concurrent training on RE in endurance running athletes and identify the effects of subject characteristics and concurrent training variables on the magnitude of RE improvement. (systematic review / meta-analysis; athletes).
In this systematic review / meta-analysis, the abstract doesn’t find a clear benefit for Running economy. Treat this as a signal, not a guarantee; confirm methods and context in the full paper.
Takeaways
What the abstract suggests
- • Study question: To evaluate the effect of concurrent training on RE in endurance running athletes and identify the effects of subject characteristics and concurrent training variables on the magnitude of RE improvement.
- • In this systematic review / meta-analysis, the abstract doesn’t find a clear benefit for Running economy.
- • Population: athletes.
- • Protocol cues: abstract may omit dose/timing; use the full paper to replicate accurately.
Protocol
Protocol (as reported)
- • Intervention/exposure: strength training, neuromuscular.
- • Dose/time/duration: abstract doesn’t include enough detail; use the full paper’s methods section.
- • Outcomes: Running economy, Injury risk.
- • Replication note: abstracts often omit adherence and timing; confirm details before changing training or supplementation.
Fit
Who it helps, and who should skip it
Who it helps
- • Athletes similar to the study population (athletes) working on strength.
- • Athletes who can measure Running economy, Injury risk with a repeatable workout or time-trial effort.
Who should skip
- • If you have symptoms or conditions that make the intervention risky, get professional guidance.
- • If you’re near race day and can’t safely test, defer the experiment.
Methods
What the study actually did
- • Design: systematic review / meta-analysis.
- • Population: athletes.
- • Outcomes measured: Running economy, Injury risk.
- • Source: PubMed PMID 27497600 (2017) — Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.).
Results excerpt
What the abstract reports
“In addition, explosive (% change = -4.83 +/- 1.53; p < 0.001) and heavy weight (% change = -3.65 +/- 2.74; p = 0.009) training programs produced similar improvements in RE, while isometric training (% change = -2.20 +/- 4.37; p = 0.324)…”
Note: excerpts are short; for full context, read the paper.
Limits
Limitations & bias
- • Abstract-only summaries can miss critical details (population, protocol, adherence, and context).
- • Reviews and consensus statements mix protocols and populations; recommendations may not match your exact constraints.
- • If your context differs (elite vs recreational; cycling vs running), adjust expectations and be conservative.
- • This is performance information, not medical advice.
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Performance Science Lab
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Strength performance research
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Strength training for running economy: what to do (without ruining your runs)
Evidence-informed protocol: Strength training for running economy: what to do (without ruining your runs). Practical steps, who it helps, and what to watch out for.
Running economy research for endurance athletes
Economy is the cost of speed. Small improvements compound over long races.
Injury risk research for endurance athletes
Most injury risk comes from load spikes and insufficient tissue tolerance — manage both.