The Science and Practice of Middle and Long Distance Running

by Richard Blagrove (Editor), Philip Hayes (Editor)

Overview

The popularity of distance running as a sport, and a recreational activity, is at an all-time high. Motivated by the desire to achieve a personal best, remain healthy, or simply complete an event, distance runners of all ages and abilities actively seek out advice from experienced coaches and sport scientists. This is also reflected in the growth of programmes of education for young coaches and aspiring sport scientists in recent years. There are a multitude of different approaches to training distance runners; however, the basic principles and ingredients required for success are applicable to any distance runner. The science that underpins the training and physical preparation of distance runners has developed considerably in recent years. The most experienced and successful coaches in the distance running community rarely have the opportunity to share their tried and tested methods of training. Similarly, the novel work of sport scientists is often only accessible to elite runners, their support teams and academia.

The Science and Practice of Middle and Long Distance Running links together the science and coaching artistry associated with preparing distance runners for events ranging from 800 m up to ultra-marathon distances. It combines the latest scientific evidence, published by world-leading sport scientists, with the sound training principles and strategies adopted by experienced coaches. The book translates cutting-edge scientific research from the fields of physiology, biomechanics, psychology and nutrition into practical suggestions for achieving success. Important topical issues and contemporary practices related to health and performance are also addressed. This book is an essential addition to the library of any distance runner, coach or sport scientist.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780367423186
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	03/30/2021
Pages:	450
Product dimensions:	6.88(w) x 9.69(h) x (d)

About the Author

Richard C. Blagrove , PhD, SFHEA, ASCC, CSCS is Lecturer in Physiology and Programme Director of the MSc Strength and Conditioning at Loughborough University, UK. Richard is an Accredited Strength and Conditioning Coach and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and was previously Director of the UK Strength and Conditioning Association. He has provided coaching support to middle- and long-distance runners for almost 15 years, including several Olympians and athletes who have won medals at major international championships. He gained a PhD from Northumbria University investigating the utility of strength-based exercise in post-pubertal adolescent distance runners and has delivered over a dozen invited presentations on the physical preparation of runners.

Philip R. Hayes , PhD, CSci is Senior Lecturer at Northumbria University, where he gained his PhD and has worked since 1991. During that time, he has spent 14 years as Programme Leader on the BSc. (Hons) Applied Sport and Exercise Science. His main research interest is the role of muscular strength (acute and chronically) and its role in (i) running performance, (ii) offsetting fatigue-related changes in gait, (iii) overuse injuries. Phil is a UK Athletics Level 4 middle-distance running coach, coaching for a local athletics club. He has coached GB U23, GB Students, GB U20, and GB U18 runners, along with Inter-Counties, British Universities and England Schools medallists. Previously, he has been the UK Athletics Regional Coach (North East England) for Endurance Events. Phil has also provided sport science support to numerous local athletes, some of whom have competed at international championships including the Olympics, World Cross-Country Championships and Commonwealth Games.

Table of Contents

List of figures viii

List of tables xi

About the contributors xiii

Preface xxii

Part I The Scientific Bases of Training and Performance 1

1 Physiological Determinants of Middle- and Long-Distance Running Philip R. Hayes Daniel A. Gordon 3

2 The Biomechanics of Distance Running Brian Hanley 17

3 Common Overuse Injuries in Runners and Injury Risk Factors Christopher A. Bramah 28

4 Nutritional Requirements for Distance Runners Matthew Cole Richard C. Blagrove Meghan A. Brown Jennie Carter Justin D. Roberts 47

5 Psychology of Distance Running Stacy Winter Carla Meijen 66

Part II Training and Event Considerations 77

6 Physiological Assessment of Middle- and Long-Distance Runners Andy Galbraith 79

7 Movement Screening and Physical Capacity Assessments Louis P. Howe Paul J. Read 97

8 Training Volume and Intensity Distribution Among Elite Middle- and Long-Distance Runners Arturo Casado Leif Inge Tjelta 118

9 Tapering and Peaking for an Event or Major Competition Kate L. Spilsbury 132

10 Running Coaching Case Study and Lessons Learned Steve Macklin 145

11 Short-Term Nutrition Strategies to Maximise Event-Day Performance Justin D. Roberts Matthew Cole 163

12 Strategic and Tactical Decision-Making in Middle- and Long-Distance Running Races Andy Renfree Brian Hanley 176

13 Gait Retraining for Performance and Injury Risk Izzy S. Moore Tom Goom Kelly J. Ashford 185

14 Strength Training for Enhancing Performance and Reducing injury Risk Richard C. Blagrove David R. Hooper 207

15 Specific Conditioning to Reduce Injury Risk Stuart Butler 223

Part III Specific Issues and Populations 247

16 Training Monitoring Mark R. Homer Charles R. Pedlar 249

17 Recovery Strategies Glyn Howatson Tom Clifford 266

18 Low Energy Availability: Identification, Management and Treatment Jessica Piasecki 281

19 Nurturing Young Distance Runners Richard C. Blagrove Philip E. Kearney Kaua L. Drew 291

20 Considerations for the Female Runner Georgie Btuinvels Esther Goldsmith Nicola Brown 306

21 Performance Decline in Master Endurance Runners Ceri E. Diss Arran Parmar 328

References 342

Index 417