Progressive daily hopping exercise improves running economy in amateur runners: a randomized and controlled trial

This study investigated the effects of a daily plyometric hopping intervention on running economy (RE) in amateur runners. In a randomized, controlled trial, thirty-four amateur runners (29 ± 7 years, 27 males) were allocated to a control or a hopping exercise group. During the six-week study, the exercise group performed 5 min of double-legged hopping exercise daily. To progressively increase loading, the number of hopping bouts (10 s each) was steadily increased while break duration between sets was decreased. Pre- and post-intervention, RE, peak oxygen uptake (VO(2peak)), and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) were measured during 4-min stages at three running speeds (10, 12, and 14 km/h). ANCOVAs with baseline values and potential cofounders as cofactors were performed to identify differences between groups. ANCOVA revealed an effect of hopping on RE at 12 km/h (df = 1; F = 4.35; p < 0.05; η(2) = 0.072) and 14 km/h (df = 1; F = 6.72; p < 0.05; η(2) = 0.098), but not at 10 km/h (p > 0.05). Exercise did not affect VO(2peak) (p > 0.05), but increased RER at 12 km/h (df = 1; F = 4.26; p < 0.05; η(2) = 0.059) and 14 km/h (df = 1; F = 36.73; p < 0.001; η(2) = 0.520). No difference in RER was observed at 10 km/h (p > 0.05). Daily hopping exercise is effective in improving RE at high running speeds in amateurs and thus can be considered a feasible complementary training program. Clinical trial registration German Register of Clinical Trials (DRKS00017373).