ArticleEuropean journal of applied physiology2019
Level, uphill and downhill running economy values are strongly inter-correlated.
Article in European journal of applied physiology, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 12 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
12 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- The Relationship Between Running Biomechanics and Running Economy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies.Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) · 2024Pooled it
- Correlations Between the Metabolic Costs of Level and Graded Running: A Secondary Analysis of the Literature.Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) · 2026Article
- Metabolic energy expenditure during level, uphill, and downhill running.European journal of applied physiology · 2026Article
- Mechanical Running Power and Energy Expenditure in Uphill and Downhill Running.Sports (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
- A review of uphill and downhill running: biomechanics, physiology and modulating factors.Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology · 2025Review
- Energy cost differences between marathon runners and soccer players: Constant versus shuttle running.Frontiers in physiology · 2023Article
- The Energetic Costs of Uphill Locomotion in Trail Running: Physiological Consequences Due to Uphill Locomotion Pattern-A Feasibility Study.Life (Basel, Switzerland) · 2022Article
- Physiological Implication of Slope Gradient during Incremental Running Test.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022Article
- Level, Uphill, and Downhill Running Economy Values Are Correlated Except on Steep Slopes.Frontiers in physiology · 2021Article
- Modulation of TRIB3 and Macrophage Phenotype to Attenuate Insulin Resistance After Downhill Running in Mice.Frontiers in physiology · 2021Article
- Downhill Running: What Are The Effects and How Can We Adapt? A Narrative Review.Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) · 2020Review
- Biomechanical Adaptations and Performance Indicators in Short Trail Running.Frontiers in physiology · 2019Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
purposeExercise economy is not solely an intrinsic physiological trait because economy in one mode of exercise (e.g., running) does not strongly correlate with economy in another mode (e.g. cycling). Economy also reflects the skill of an individual in a particular mode of exercise. Arguably, level, uphill and downhill running constitute biomechanically different modes of exercise. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that level running economy (LRE), uphill running economy (URE) and downhill running economy (DRE) would not be strongly inter-correlated.
methodsWe measured the oxygen uptakes of 19 male trained runners during three different treadmill running speed and grade conditions: 238 m/min, 0%; 167 m/min, + 7.5%; 291 m/min, - 5%. Mean oxygen uptakes were 46.8 (SD 3.9), 48.0 (3.4) and 46.9 (3.7) ml/kg/min for level, uphill and downhill running, respectively, indicating that the three conditions were of similar aerobic intensity.
resultsWe reject our hypothesis based on the strong correlations of r = 0.909, r = 0.901 and r = 0.830, respectively, between LRE vs. URE, LRE vs. DRE and URE vs. DRE.
conclusionEconomical runners on level surfaces are also economical on uphill and downhill grades. Inter-individual differences in running economy reflect differences in both intrinsic physiology and skill. Individuals who have experience with level, uphill and downhill running appear to be equally skilled in all three modes.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.