Heart Rate Vs. Race Pace-Based Prescription Training in Recreational Distance Runners

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Exercise Response; Physical Fitness; Athletic Performance; Running Endurance

• Registration Number: NCT07109089
• Lead Sponsor: Universidad Rey Juan Carlos

Brief Summary

The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to compare adherence to training prescription-defined as the percentage of time spent within the prescribed intensity zone-using either a race pace-based method or a heart rate-based method in male and female recreational distance runners.

The main research questions are:

* Which training prescription method leads to greater adherence in recreational runners?

* Which method results in more accurate execution of low- and high-intensity interval training sessions?

Participants will undergo anthropometric and physiological assessments to determine training zones based on ventilatory thresholds. In addition, a 5-km time trial will be performed on a standard track to establish individual race pace zones.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2024-02-01
• Primary Completion: 2024-07-30
• Study Completion: 2025-01-30
• Status Verified: 2025-07
• Study First Submitted: 2025-07-07
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-07-30
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-07-30
• Study First Posted: 2025-08-07
• Last Update Posted: 2025-08-07

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 37

Inclusion Criteria

• healthy male and female recreational endurance runners
• minimum of four training sessions per week
• at least three of consistent endurance training experience

Exclusion Criteria

• current smokers
• diagnosed metabolic disorders
• any cardiovascular, pulmonary, or orthopedic condition that may interfere with exercise performance or safety

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Maximal Oxygen Uptake (VO₂max)	Baseline	VO₂max (mL·kg-¹·min-¹) measured during an incremental treadmill test to volitional exhaustion. Respiratory gases are collected breath-by-breath using a calibrated metabolic cart. The highest 30-second average of VO₂ is taken as VO₂max.
Time in Zone - Low-Intensity Training	Week 1 and week 2	Total time (in minutes and % of intended time in zone) spent within the prescribed low-intensity training zone during each session, as determined by either heart rate (below first ventilatory threshold) or race pace (based on individual 5-km performance). Training zones are predefined per method and monitored via GPS watches and heart rate monitors.
Time in Zone - High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)	Week 1 and week 2	Total time (in minutes and % of intended time in zone) spent within the prescribed high-intensity training zone during interval sessions, based on either heart rate (above second ventilatory threshold) or race pace (percentage of 5-km race pace). Time in zone is extracted from GPS and HR data post-session

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Ventilatory thresholds	Baseline	Oxygen uptake (VO₂, mL·kg-¹·min-¹) at the first and second ventilatory thresholds measured during an incremental treadmill test. Ventilatory thresholds are determined using standard gas exchange methods (e.g., V-slope, ventilatory equivalents).
Body weight (kg) and Body Mass Index (BMI kg/m²)	Baseline	These variables will be assessed to monitor changes in general health status and body composition throughout the intervention.; Weight and height will be measured using a calibrated bio-electrical impedance analyzer (Tanita MC-780), with an accuracy of ±0.1 kg. Participants will be assessed barefoot, wearing light clothing, after an overnight fast and after voiding. Weight will be recorded in kilograms (kg) and height in meters (m), and BMI will be subsequently calculated as weight divided by height squared (kg/m²).; No additional outcome measures will be collected in this assessment session.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Cam. del Molino, 5, Fuenlabrada, Madrid; 🇪🇸 Fuenlabrada, Madrid, Spain