Strength and Endurance

I miss journal access. John keeps waiving it over my head that within a few weeks he'll have AMAZING journal access.
Jerk.

So I TRIED to do a bit of research and here are some preliminary findings. This isn't professionally done or anything, just dinking around.

I began by searching google scholar (yes, I know, but I don't have access to much else) with the keywords "endurance training strength training" It came up with over 128,000 results. I skimmed through 5 pages of results for relevant findings. Studies were included for review that met the following requirements: compared results of endurance and strength training verses endurance training alone, participants were under the age of 65, study included women.

My findings concluded that in men and women under the age of 65 would gain initial benefits in endurance training by supplementing their workout regimes with strength training. However, while VO2max improved across all groups the initial explosive strength of those in the strength and endurance groups was less than those in the strength group. Leveritt M et. al. post two hypothesis as to why this occurs. Their chronic hypothesis theorizes that the muscle fibers cannot adapt to the two varying requirements for both endurance and strength training simultaneously. Their acute hypothesis supposes that strength training combined with endurance training is less effective because of residual fatigue from endurance workouts.

So, if you want to be buff and strong, go lift weights. Get a good cardio warm up, but skip the long runs.

For those of us who enjoy the serenity of long distance escapes you might find those first couple of miles easier if you add a bit of strength training either on your off days or your fewer mile days. We won't get all buff and beefy but we can go farther.

These studies did state that determining effects of strength training on long distance (marathon) endurance was inconclusive and difficult to determine. However, the assessment of endurance over shorter distances had less fatigue and faster speed times. This would lead one to conclude that if you are less tired and faster for the first half of your marathon your speed and distance would improve from this initial boost.

Limitations in this author's review of the literature included: lack of journal access, two glasses of wine, and the final level of Super Mario Galaxy 2...

Potential for strength and endurance training to amplify endurance performance

Interference of strength development by simultaneously training for strength and endurance

Neuromuscular adaptations during concurrent strength and endurance training versus strength training

Effects of strength training on lactate threshold and endurance performance

Comparison of two regimens of concurrent strength and endurance training

Concurrent Strength and Endurance Training: A Review

The effects of strength training on endurance performance and muscle characteristics