Relationship between functional hamstring and quadriceps ratios and running economy in females

Running economy (RE) is thought to be a determining factor for success in distance\ud running. The present study investigated the relationship between gross oxygen cost of\ud running (RE) at 6 and 7.5 mph and functional H:Q ratios (f-H:Q): H ecc:Qcon and H con:Q ecc,\ud flexibility, and anthropometric variables commonly known to be associated with better\ud RE among ten highly trained female (HT) runners (V02peak: 61.5 ?? 5.4 mL kg'l min'1)\ud and eleven recreational (REC) female runners (V02peak: 49.2 ?? 4.6 mL kg???1min'1). There\ud was a consistent trend towards higher f-H:Q ratios and lower % intensity among the HT\ud runners. Inverse significant correlations (P < 0.05) were found between H con:Qecc and\ud respiratory exchange ratio (RER). Flexibility was not significantly correlated with RE.\ud In sum, HT differed from REC runners in terms of significantly higher knee flexor\ud strength, higher f-H:Q ratios, and lower metabolic demand of submaximal running. The\ud results indicate that f-H:Q strength is an important factor for RE.\ud Key words: strength, long distance running, females, oxygen cost of running, flexibilit