• Postgraduate Certificate in Education
• MSc Exercise Physiology
• BSc Sport Science with Management

Strength training for young distance runners: current habits and effects on physiological determinants of performance

Strength training has been shown to provide benefits to several physiological parameters that underpin distance running performance, including economy of movement and speed at VO2max. Despite the well-established benefits of resistance training exercise for young athletes, the potential ergogenic effects of strength training on young distance runners are yet to be fully explored. The start point for Richard’s doctoral research was a survey, which aimed to investigate the extent to which young distance runners are currently engaging in strength training compared to recreational and well-trained trained senior runners. Supported by funding from the British Milers Club, Richard has also carried out an intervention study to investigate the effect of a 10-week strength training programme on the physiological determinants of performance in a group of adolescent middle-distance runners. The results were presented at the British Association of Sport and Exercise Science annual conference in November 2016. There is also evidence that high-intensity strength exercise may provide an acute potentiation effect, which subsequently enhances running economy. Using a group of well-trained junior male distance runners, Richard is also investigating the efficacy of this approach to the warm-up of young distance runners.

Published books

Blagrove, R. (2015). Strength and conditioning for endurance running. Wiltshire, UK: The Crowood Press.

Book chapters

Blagrove, R. (in press). Lowering injury risk and improving performance with strength and conditioning. In S. Overall (Ed.), Unlocking personal bests. Berkshire, UK: Myer and Myer.

Peer-reviewed journal publications

Read, P., Hughes, J.D., Blagrove, R., Jeffreys, I., Edwards, M. & Turner, A.N. (2017). Characteristics and experiences of interns in strength and conditioning. Journal of Sports Sciences, 35, 269-276.

Howe, L. & Blagrove. R. (2015). Shoulder function during overhead lifting tasks: implications for screening athletes. Strength and Conditioning Journal, 37, 84-96.

Bridgeman, L. & Blagrove, R. (2014). The effects of an exercise induced muscle damage protocol on the postactivation potentiation response. Journal of Australian Strength and Conditioning, 22(5), 73-75.

Howe, L., Goodwin, J. & Blagrove, R. (2014). Unilateral vs. bilateral lower limb strength training in the development of athletic performance. Professional Strength and Conditioning Journal, 33, 19-24.

Blagrove, R. (2014). Minimising the interference effect during programmes of concurrent strength and endurance training. Part 2: Programming recommendations. Professional Strength and Conditioning Journal, 32, 15-22.

Blagrove, R. (2013). Programmes of concurrent strength and endurance training: how to minimize the interference effect. Part 1: Evidence and mechanisms of interference. Professional Strength and Conditioning Journal, 31, 7-14.

Wild, J., Bezodis, N., Blagrove, R. & Bezodis, I. (2011). A biomechanical comparison of accelerative and maximum velocity sprinting: strength training considerations for the Strength and Conditioning Coach. Professional Strength and Conditioning, 21, 23-37.

Howatson, G., Hough, P., Pattison, J., Hill, J., Blagrove, R., Glaister, M. & Thompson, K. G.(2010). Trekking poles reduce exercise-induced muscle injury during mountain walking. Medicine & Science in Sport & Exercise, 43, 140–145.

Peer-reviewed conference communications

Blagrove, R., Howe, L., Cushion, E., Spence, A., Howatson, G., Pedlar, C., & Hayes, P. (2016). Strength training enhances running economy in adolescent middle-distancerunners. British Association of Sport and Exercise Science Annual Conference, East Midlands Conference Centre, UK, 29^th-30^th November, 2016 (poster presentation).

Blagrove, R., Powell, K., Patterson, S., Howatson, G., & Hayes, P. (2016). The acute effect of depth jumps on running economy and time to exhaustion in well-trained distance runners. UK Strength and Conditioning Association Annual Conference, Hinkley Island, Leicestershire, UK, 17^th-18^th Sept 2016 (poster presentation).

Bridgeman, L., & Blagrove, R. (2014). The effects of an exercise induced muscle damage protocol on the post-activation potentiation response. ASCA International Conference on Applied Strength & Conditioning, Victoria, Australia, 7^th-9^th November 2014 (poster presentation).

Lockwood, J., & Blagrove, R. (2014). Can time-motion data from match-play predict subsequent jump performance and subjective feelings of recovery in youth football? UK Strength and Conditioning Association Annual Conference, Chesford Grange, Warwickshire, UK, 19^th-20^th July 2014 (poster presentation).

Armitage, M., & Blagrove, R. (2013). The impact of physical load impact on salivary immunoglobulin A, cortisol and testosterone in English academy Premier League football players. UK Strength and Conditioning Association Annual Conference, East Midlands Conference Centre, UK, 31^st Aug – 1^st Sept 2013 (poster presentation).

Safdari, D., & Blagrove, R. (2013). Strength determinants of 250m rowing ergometer performance. UK Strength and Conditioning Association Annual Conference, East Midlands Conference Centre, UK, 31^st Aug – 1^st Sept 2013 (poster presentation).

Blagrove, R., & Cotterill, M. (2012). Diurnal variation in Olympic weightlifting performance. UK Strength and Conditioning Association Annual Conference, Royal Holloway University, UK, 15^th – 16^th Aug 2013 (poster presentation).

Powell, D., & Blagrove, R. (2011). The effect of rest interval duration on potentiation of 10 metre sprint performance after heavy back squats. UK Strength and Conditioning Association Annual Conference, University of Stirling, UK, 18^th – 19^th June 2011 (poster presentation).

Lovell, C., & Blagrove, R. (2010). Three different intensities of back squat failed to potentiate squat jumps. International Conference for Strength Training, Bratislava, Slovakia, 28^th – 30^th October 2010 (poster presentation).

• Dr Phil Hayes
• Prof. Glyn Howatson