Predictive factors for running economy in female recreational runners.

PURPOSE: To assess the predictive value of age, sport experience, lower-limb flexibility, lean mass, Fat percentage (%FAT), Maximal Oxygen consumption (V̇O2max), knee extensor muscle Peak Torque (PT), and Maximal Aerobic Speed (MAS) on Running Economy (RE) in female long-distance recreational runners. METHODS: A total of 61 female recreational runners aged 20-60 yr participated in this study. RE was evaluated based on the Energy Cost of running (EC). Additional parameters measured included V̇O2max, flexibility, lean mass, %FAT, MAS, sport experience, age, and PT. RESULTS: EC was significantly associated with %FAT (r = 0.629, p < 0.001), flexibility (r = -0.388, p = 0.002), lean mass (r = -0.330, p = 0.009), and MAS (r = -0.516, p < 0.001). No significant correlations were observed between RE and age (r = 0.017, p = 0.896), sport experience (r = -0.119, p = 0.360), V̇O2max (r = -0.200, p = 0.121), or PT (r = -0.026, p = 0.841). Regression analysis revealed that %FAT (β = 0.017, t = 4.168, p < 0.001) and MAS (β = -0.039, t = -1.987, p = 0.052) accounted for 43.5% of the variation in EC. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that %FAT and MAS were the key predictors of RE in female recreational runners, with higher %FAT associated with poorer RE and greater MAS correlating with improved RE. However, MAS showed a borderline association with EC (p = 0.052), suggesting a potential but cautious interpretation as a predictor. These insights underscore the importance of training strategies that optimize body composition and aerobic performance to enhance RE in female recreational runners.