Investigating the physiological response during Low Oxygen Exercise in Trail Runners Leveraging the Topographical Advantages of Mt. Fuji

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K13123
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Developmental mechanisms and the body works
• Research Institution: Juntendo University
• Principal Investigator: Tsujikawa Hiroto 順天堂大学, 保健看護学部, 准教授 (10348980)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: トレイルランニング / スカイランニング / 生理的指標 / 乳酸閾値 / 酸化ストレス / WBI / 富士山

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Despite the recent increase in the number of athletes competing in trail running on unpaved mountain roads and in skyrunning, a mountain sport, there have been few studies on the detailed physiological responses. This study aimed to examine the physical fitness characteristics of runners based on the results of a maximal exercise test on level ground and a time attack (TA) in the field of Mt. Eight healthy male subjects were compared as the upper and lower groups. The upper group had a low body fat percentage (<5.0%), intensity during TA was equivalent to 80% VO2max, and WBI before TA was about 1.1 and did not change significantly after TA. On the other hand, lower values were observed in the lower groups, especially in thigh flexor strength. ROS was found to be within the acceptable range of biological defense mechanisms.

Free Research Field

運動生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

マラソンブームと登山ブームから、トレイルランニングへの関心が高まり、また富士登山においても人気が以前に高い。このような準高地における持久性運動において、どのような生体応答があり、負担となるのかを明らかにすることは、学術的に意義のあることである。また、トップアスリートと一般アスリートの差異を明らかにすることで、正しいトレーニングや安全性を確保しながら、競技能力を高める一助となると考える。