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Vol. 5 No. 1 (2025): Volume 5, Issue 1, Year 2025

Articles

Study the Impact of Short-Term Training on Anthropometric, Physiological and Physical Fitness Variables of Long-Distance Runners

Soumyadip Ghosh
Department of Physiology, Midnapore College(Autonomous), Midnapore, West Bengal, India
Sayanjyoti Bera
Department of Physiology, Midnapore College(Autonomous), Midnapore, West Bengal, India
Kingshuk Ghosh
Department of Allied Health Science, Manav Rachana International Institute of Research and Studies, Faridabad, Haryana, India.
Pritee Singha
Department of Allied Health Science, Manav Rachana International Institute of Research and Studies, Faridabad, Haryana, India.
Atanu Jana
Department of Allied Health Science, Manav Rachana International Institute of Research and Studies, Faridabad, Haryana, India.
Indranil Manna
Department of Physiology, Midnapore College(Autonomous), Midnapore, West Bengal, India
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.34256/ijk2515

Published 10-04-2025

Keywords

  • Body Fat,
  • VO2max,
  • Anaerobic Power,
  • Lactate threshold,
  • Training,
  • Running athletes
    • ...More
    Less

How to Cite

Ghosh, S., Bera, S., Ghosh, K., Singha, P., Jana, A., & Manna, I. (2025). Study the Impact of Short-Term Training on Anthropometric, Physiological and Physical Fitness Variables of Long-Distance Runners. International Journal of Kinanthropometry, 5(1), 43–52. https://doi.org/10.34256/ijk2515

Copyright (c) 2025 Soumyadip Ghosh, Sayanjyoti Bera, Kingshuk Ghosh, Pritee Singha, Atanu Jana, Indranil Manna

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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Abstract

Introduction: The impact of structured training on the anthropometric, physiological, and physical fitness variables of long-distance runners is crucial for optimising performance. This study examines how systematic training influences key parameters such as body composition, cardiovascular efficiency, muscular endurance, and overall physical fitness of long-distance runners. Methods: Ninety-eight healthy male volunteers between ages 18 to 20 years (forty eight sedentary controls and fifty long-distance runners) were included randomly from Midnapore, W.B., India. Volunteers underwent a medical check up performed by physicians, and based on their decision, 10 long-distance runners and 08 control subjects were excluded. The rest were divided into (i) the Sedentary Control Group (SCG, n=40) and the Long Distance Runners (LDR, n=40). The long-distance runners received a training program (4 hours/day, 5 days/week for 6 weeks); no training was given to the control group volunteers. The selected anthropometric, physical fitness, and physiological variables were measured at the beginning of the training (baseline data, 0 wk) and at the end (06 wks) of the study and analysed. Results: A significant increase (p<0.05) in VO2max, lung volumes, strength, power, speed, and flexibility; and a reduction (p<0.05) in body fat, sprint time, heart rate (during rest, sub-maximal exercise, and recovery), resting blood pressure, and peak blood lactate were observed after six weeks of training among the long-distance runners. Conclusion: The findings highlight the significance of specialised training programs in improving the performance of long-distance runners by enhancing both physiological and physical efficiency.

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