Effects of Two Endurance Training Programs on 5-km Running Performance in Recreational Runners
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: Lactate Threshold Training, Pyramidal-to-Polarized Endurance Training.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Endurance Running Performance, Exercise Training Adaptation. Basic parameters: 18 years — 25 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
- Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.
- 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 Lactate Threshold Training and Pyramidal-to-Polarized Endurance Training on 5-km Running Performance, Physiological Capacity, and Post-exercise Neural Responses in Recreational Runners: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Overview
This study will examine the effects of two 8-week endurance training programs on 5-km running performance in recreational runners. Participants will be randomly assigned to a lactate threshold training group, a pyramidal-to-polarized endurance training group, or a control group that maintains usual physical activity without receiving the study training program. Before and after the intervention, participants will complete assessments of 5-km running performance, aerobic fitness, lactate threshold, running economy, blood lactate responses, and brain activity recorded before and after maximal exercise. The study will compare changes among the three groups and examine whether physiological and post-exercise neural responses are associated with improvements in running performance. The main purpose is to determine whether the two training programs produce different improvements in 5-km running performance and to better understand the physiological and neural adaptations associated with endurance training in recreational runners.
Interventions
- Behavioral Lactate Threshold Training
Participants will complete an 8-week individualized endurance training program prescribed primarily around the lactate threshold. Training intensity will be determined from baseline physiological testing. The program will specify the frequency, duration, and intensity of each training session and will be adjusted according to the study protocol. - Behavioral Pyramidal-to-Polarized Endurance Training
Participants will complete an 8-week individualized endurance training program in which the training-intensity distribution progresses from a pyramidal pattern during the initial phase to a polarized pattern during the later phase. Training intensity will be prescribed using individually determined physiological thresholds obtained from baseline testing. The program will include low-, moderate-, and high-intensity running sessions, with the relative distribution of training time across intensity
Primary outcome measures
- Change in 5-km Running Performance [Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention]
Secondary outcome measures (5)
- Change in Maximal Oxygen Uptake [Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention]
- Change in Lactate Threshold [Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention]
- Change in Running Economy [Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention]
- Change in Post-exercise Blood Lactate Concentration [Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention, with measurements before exercise and at 5 and 20 minutes after exercise]
- Change in Post-exercise Electroencephalographic Activity [Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention, with electroencephalographic recordings before exercise and at 5 and 20 minutes after exercise]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Men and women aged \[18-30\] years.
- Recreational runners with regular running or endurance-training experience for at least \[6 months\].
- Currently completing running training at least \[2-3 times per week\].
- Able to complete a continuous 5-km run.
- Willing and able to complete the 8-week training intervention and all study assessments.
- Able to understand the study procedures and provide written informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
- Current cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, neurological, or other medical conditions that may contraindicate maximal exercise or endurance training.
- Current musculoskeletal injury or pain that limits running or participation in maximal exercise testing.
- History of loss of consciousness, epilepsy, severe head injury, or other neurological conditions that may affect electroencephalographic recordings.
- Use of medications or substances known to substantially affect cardiovascular, metabolic, or central nervous system responses to exercise.
- Participation in another structured exercise intervention or clinical study during the study period.
- Inability or unwillingness to comply with the assigned training program, testing procedures, or study requirements.
- Any other condition judged by the investigators to make participation unsafe or to substantially affect the validity of the study outcomes.
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
Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07738640 · SUS-5KM-RCT-2026