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Enrolling by invitation NCT07498608

Effects of Polarized and Threshold Intensity Distribution Models on Race Time and Body Composition in Recreational Runners Aged 20-45 Years.

No phase Interventional Physical Activity Physical Activity Intensity Physical Activity in Adults Running

For patients and families

In plain language

An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.

What is being studied
The protocol lists: Polarized intensity distribution model, Threshold intensity distribution model.
Who it may be relevant to
Registry conditions: Physical Activity, Physical Activity Intensity, Physical Activity in Adults, Running. Basic parameters: 20 years — 45 years · All.
What needs checking
Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
Where it takes place
Colombia
Next step
Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →

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Official title

Effects of Polarized and Threshold Intensity Distribution Models on Race Time and Body Composition in Recreational Runners Aged 20-45 Years: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Overview

This study aims to compare the effects of two intensity distribution training (TID) models-polarized and threshold-on 5-km race time and body composition in recreational runners aged 20 to 45 years. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups and will complete a 12-week structured training program. The primary outcome will be 5-km race time, while secondary outcomes will include changes in body composition. Assessments will be conducted before and after the intervention period.

Detailed description

This randomized controlled trial will investigate the effects of two different intensity distribution training (TID) models: polarized (POL) and threshold (THR), on race time and body composition in recreational runners.

A total of 40 participants aged between 20 and 45 years will be randomly assigned to either the POL group or the THR group. Both groups will complete a 12-week training intervention. The polarized model will emphasize a high volume of low-intensity training (Zone 1) with small amounts of high-intensity work (Zone 3), while the threshold model will include a greater proportion of training at moderate intensity (Zone 2).

The primary outcome will be 5-km race time measured in minutes/seconds. Secondary outcomes will include body composition variables such as body fat percentage and lean mass.

Assessments will be conducted at baseline and after the 12-week intervention. The study aims to determine whether polarized training produces superior improvements compared to threshold training in recreational runners.

Interventions

  • Other Polarized intensity distribution model
    Regarding the intervention, it will last 12 weeks, a period during which physiological adaptations to endurance training occur, as Neuman (1994) states with chronological cycles of 8 to 12 weeks. For the TID POL model, the intensity distribution was as follows: Zone 1 (80%), Zone 2 (5%), and Zone 3 (15%). The training periodization for the two TID models was designed using a 3:1 weekly block structure, meaning three weeks of training followed by one week of recovery. The weekly training frequenc
  • Other Threshold intensity distribution model
    Regarding the intervention, it will last 12 weeks, a period during which physiological adaptations to endurance training occur, as Neuman (1994) states with chronological cycles of 8 to 12 weeks. For the TID THR model, the intensity distribution was as follows: Zone 1 (50%), Zone 2 (40%), and Zone 3 (10%), The training periodization for the two TID models was designed using a 3:1 weekly block structure, meaning three weeks of training followed by one week of recovery. The weekly training frequen

Primary outcome measures

  • Primary Objective [Time frame: 12 weeks]
Secondary outcome measures (1)
  • Secondary Objective [Time frame: 12 weeks]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

  • Age between 20 and 45 years.
  • 1 to 3 years of experience.
  • Men's race time between 25:00 and 40:00.
  • Women's race time between 28:00 and 43:00.
  • Must reside in Bogotá or surrounding municipalities at an altitude of 2,640 meters above sea level.
  • Must have a GPS device.

Exclusion criteria

  • Having a chronic noncommunicable disease.
  • Smoking or drinking alcohol.
  • Having a musculoskeletal injury.
  • Failing to sign the informed consent form.
  • 10% attendance rate at training sessions.

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: Yes

Study design

Allocation
Randomized
Model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Double blind
Primary purpose
Basic science

Study locations

Colombia · 1 center
  • Colegio San Bartolome La Merced — Bogotá

Publications

  • Zinner C, Schafer Olstad D, Sperlich B. Mesocycles with Different Training Intensity Distribution in Recreational Runners. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2018 Aug;50(8):1641-1648. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000001599. PMID 29509644
  • Treff G, Winkert K, Sareban M, Steinacker JM, Sperlich B. The Polarization-Index: A Simple Calculation to Distinguish Polarized From Non-polarized Training Intensity Distributions. Front Physiol. 2019 Jun 12;10:707. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00707. eCollection 2019. PMID 31249533
  • Stoggl TL, Sperlich B. The training intensity distribution among well-trained and elite endurance athletes. Front Physiol. 2015 Oct 27;6:295. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2015.00295. eCollection 2015. PMID 26578968
  • Stoggl T, Sperlich B. Polarized training has greater impact on key endurance variables than threshold, high intensity, or high volume training. Front Physiol. 2014 Feb 4;5:33. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2014.00033. eCollection 2014. PMID 24550842
  • Rosenblat MA, Perrotta AS, Vicenzino B. Polarized vs. Threshold Training Intensity Distribution on Endurance Sport Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. J Strength Cond Res. 2019 Dec;33(12):3491-3500. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000002618. PMID 29863593
  • Rosado J, Duarte JP, Sousa-E-Silva P, Costa DC, Martinho DV, Valente-Dos-Santos J, Rama LM, Tavares OM, Conde J, Castanheira J, Soles-Goncalves R, Courteix D, Coelho-E-Silva MJ. Body composition among long distance runners. Rev Assoc Med Bras (1992). 2020 May 15;66(2):180-186. doi: 10.1590/1806-9282.66.2.180. PMID 32428153
  • Knechtle B, Tanous DR, Wirnitzer G, Leitzmann C, Rosemann T, Scheer V, Wirnitzer K. Training and Racing Behavior of Recreational Runners by Race Distance-Results From the NURMI Study (Step 1). Front Physiol. 2021 Feb 4;12:620404. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2021.620404. eCollection 2021. PMID 33613312
  • Kim, J., Young, B., & Song, S. (2018). Reliability and agreement of various InBody body composition analyzers (InBody-230, InBody-720, InBody-770) vs DEXA. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000003374

Identifiers

NCT: NCT07498608 · 340ETIC-020-2026

Primary sources (government registries)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗