Combined endurance and resistance circuit training in highly trained/top-level female racewalkers : a case report

Race walking can be considered as a long-distance performance and it can be described as the technical and athletic expression of fast walking. The physiological determinants of these performances have been well documented; moreover, several recent studies demonstrated that concurrent strength and endurance training can improve performance in endurance athletes. Thus, the purpose of this report was to monitor the adaptations of a combined strength, performed by circuit resistance training (CRT), and endurance programme in two top level female race walkers. The subjects were examined before and after 12 weeks of CRT and endurance training and performed an incremental field test to determine maximum oxygen uptake (.VO2max), running economy (RE) and lactate threshold (LT). The results showed that 12 weeks of combined CRT and endurance programme did not correspond to an alteration in.VO2max and RE, while improvements in LT and 5-km performance were seen.