MECHANICAL WORK CALCULATION METHODS TO EVALUATE DISTANCE RUNNERS

The main purpose of this study was to discuss mechanical work calculation methods for evaluating the effectiveness of running at six different speed. Nineteen male middle and long distance runners were participated in the study, as subjects. Biomechanical measurements were in order to record running motion and ground reaction force. Mechanical work was calculated using two methods: the joint torque power method (WTP) and the mechanical energy method (WME). Physiological measurements were recorded using submaximal and maximal incremental exercise tests on a treadmill. These results were as follows: 1) WTP was significantly larger than WME. 2) WTP/W/TIME was stronger related to velocity and aerobic demands. These findings suggest that regression equation between WTP/W/TIME and velocity evaluate effectiveness of distance runner