Abstract
Objective
This study aimed to investigate the physiological, hematological, and performance adaptations resulting from sequential blocks of endurance (EnT), speed (SpT), and strength (StT) training in elite Ethiopian middle- and long-distance male runners. Using a quasi-experimental repeated-measures design with a fixed order (EnT → StT → SpT), twenty male athletes (23.7 ± 3.2 years; 3000–10000 m events) completed three 6-week training blocks. Physiological (estimated VO₂max, resting heart rate, running economy), hematological (hemoglobin, hematocrit, Red blood cell count (RBC), White blood cell count (WBC)), and performance measures (400 m speed, 5000 m time trial, 12-minute Cooper test) were assessed pre- and post-intervention using paired T-tests and repeated-measures ANOVA.
Results
The endurance training block produced significant improvements in aerobic and hematological parameters, including estimated VO₂max (+ 6.20 ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹), resting heart rate (− 3.80 bpm), and hematocrit (+ 4.35%) (all p
Description
Investigates training effects on elite Ethiopian distance runners.