Comparison between backward, forward, and combined running training on performance of recreationally active young men

The study verified the effects of backward running training (BRT), forward running training (FRT), and combined backward/forward running training (BFRT), prescribed by Vpeak, on performance in 5-km running, countermovement jump, 20-m sprint, and the agility T-test, in thirty-three recreationally active young men. Thirty-three men (age 27.7 ± 4.8 years) were randomly assigned to one of three training groups (BRT; FRT; BFRT) and performed the following tests: 5-km running, vertical jump, 20-m sprint, agility performance, pre- and post-five weeks of running training. The normality of the data was verified by the Shapiro-Wilk test and the comparisons between groups and moments were performed by mixed ANOVA for repeated measures, followed by Bonferroni’s post hoc; the percentage of variation and the effect size (ES) were calculated. A significance level of P < 0.05 was adopted. All groups improved 5-km (P = 0.01) performance at post-training. The Vpeak (P < 0.01) and duration of the incremental test (P < 0.01) increased significantly in all groups after training. The Vpeak_BR increased significantly in the BRT and BFRT groups. CMJ jump height increased significantly for the FRT (P < 0.01) and BFRT (P < 0.05) groups. In the agility T-test there was a significant moment effect (P < 0.01) on the performance time. In conclusion, the inclusion of BRT sessions into FRT, prescribed based on Vpeak_BR and Vpeak_FR, leads to improvements in 5-km endurance running performance in recreationally active young men. Thus, it is suggested that BRT prescribed by Vpeak_BR could be more widely incorporated into FRT as a training method to obtain the same results in endurance performance as FRT alone.