The effect of strength training on performance in endurance athletes

BACKGROUND Economy, velocity/power at maximal oxygen uptake (V OV 2 max / W OV 2 max) and endurance-specific muscle power tests (i.e. maximal anaerobic running velocity vMART), are now thought to be the best performance predictors in elite endurance athletes. In addition to cardiovascular function, these key performance indicators are believed to be partly dictated by the neuromuscular system. One technique to improve neuromuscular efficiency in athletes is through strength training. OBJECTIVE The aim of this systematic review was to search the body of scientific literature for original research investigating the effect of strength training on performance indicators in well-trained endurance athletes-specifically economy, V OV 2 max / W OV 2 max and muscle power (VMART). METHODS A search was performed using MEDLINE, PubMed, ScienceDirect, SPORTDiscus and Web of Science search engines. There were twenty-six studies that met the inclusion criteria (athletes had to be trained endurance athletes with ≥ 6 months endurance training, training ≥ 6 hours per week OR OV 2max ≥ 50 ml/min/kg, the strengt