Study note • PMID 30065859
Hip muscular strength balance is associated with running economy in recreationally-trained endurance runners.
Worth trying if it fits your goal and context.
ELI5
In plain language
BACKGROUND: The percentage of sustained maximal oxygen uptake and the running economy are important factors that determine the running success of endurance athletes. (controlled study; trained runners).
The abstract doesn’t indicate a clear change in Running economy under the tested conditions. Treat this as a signal, not a guarantee; confirm methods and context in the full paper.
Takeaways
What the abstract suggests
- • Study question: BACKGROUND: The percentage of sustained maximal oxygen uptake and the running economy are important factors that determine the running success of endurance athletes.
- • The abstract doesn’t indicate a clear change in Running economy under the tested conditions.
- • Population: trained runners.
- • Protocol cues (title/abstract): 0 km • 12 km • 10 km.
Protocol
Protocol (as reported)
- • Intervention/exposure: hip, muscular.
- • Dose/time/duration cues in abstract/title: 0 km • 12 km • 10 km.
- • Outcomes: Running economy.
- • 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 (trained runners) working on biomechanics.
- • Athletes who can measure Running economy 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: controlled study.
- • Population: trained runners.
- • Outcomes measured: Running economy.
- • Protocol cues mentioned: 0 km • 12 km • 10 km.
- • Source: PubMed PMID 30065859 (2018) — PeerJ.
Results excerpt
What the abstract reports
“The functional balance ratio was significantly and negatively associated with E(c) at 11.0 (r = - 0.43, P = 0.04) and 12.0 km h(-1) (r = - 0.65, P = 0.04) when using a 3% gradient in male runners.”
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).
- • Single studies often don’t generalize to your event, history, and training load; treat results as a starting point.
- • 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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