Running economy is negatively related to sit-and-reach test performance in international-standard distance runners

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between running economy (RE) and lower body flexibility. Thirty-four international-standard male distance runners (mean+/-s, age 27+/-5 years; body mass 64.9+/-4.2 kg; VO(2)max 72.8+/-3.7 ml x kg(-1)x min(-1)) gave written consent to participate in this study. The subjects performed an incremental treadmill test for the assessment of RE, lactate threshold and VO(2)max, and the sit-and-reach test was used to assess their general lower body and trunk flexibility. Running speeds below the lactate threshold were used to explore the relationship between running economy and sit-and-reach test performance. At 16.0 km x h(-1), the VO2 was 50.6+/-3.7 ml x kg(-1) x min(-1) (range: 44.2 to 57.1 ml x kg(-1) x min(-1)). Pearson product moment correlation coefficients revealed no significant relationships between aerobic demand at 16.0 km x h(-1) and age (r = - 0.19), height (r = 0.15), body mass (r = - 0.18), or VO(2)max (r = - 0.004). However, there was a highly significant relationship between aerobic demand at 16.0 km x h-1 and the sit-and-reach test score (r = 0.68; p < 0.0001). These results suggest that the least flexible runners are also the most economical. It is possible that stiffer musculotendinous structures reduce the aerobic demand of submaximal running by facilitating a greater elastic energy return during the shortening phase of the stretch-shortening cycle.