Int J Sports Med
DOI: 10.1055/a-2813-3109
Authors
Author Affiliations
Ignacio Martinez-Navarro
1
Physical Education and Sports, Universitat de Valencia,
Valencia, Spain (Ringgold ID: RIN16781)
Juan Vicente-Mampel
2
Department of Physiotherapy, Catholic University of
Valenica San Carlos Borromeo Campus, Valencia, Spain (Ringgold ID: RIN430171)
Raul López-Grueso
3
Department of Education and Specific Didactics,
Universitat Jaume I, Castellón de la Plana, Spain (Ringgold ID: RIN16748)
Eladio Collado-Boira
4
Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón de la Plana,
Spain
Carlos Hernando
3
Department of Education and Specific Didactics,
Universitat Jaume I, Castellón de la Plana, Spain (Ringgold ID: RIN16748)
5
Sport Service, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón de la
Plana, Spain (Ringgold ID: RIN16748)
Supported by:
This study was funded by Castellon Provincial Hospital
Consortium and Catedra Endavant Villarreal CF de l’Esport.
Clinical Trial:
Registration number (trial ID): NCT06969898,
Trial registry: ClinicalTrials.gov (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/), Type of
Study: Observational study.
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Abstract
The aim of this study was two-fold. Firstly, to assess whether uphill walking
economy was related with step and ventilatory kinematics. Secondly, to examine
whether uphill walking economy represented an independent performance factor in
ultra-trail races. Thirty-six athletes (25 men and 11 women) completed an uphill
peak exercise test and an uphill walking economy test 4–8 weeks before a 106-km
ultra-trail race. Ventilatory and gait parameters were recorded during uphill
walking. Body composition, jumping, and isometric and inspiratory strength were
also measured. Step length and tidal volume were associated (r=0.72;
p < 0.001) and they correlated with uphill walking economy
(r between 0.47 and 0.58;p < 0.01). Peak speed and running
power and speed and running power linked to ventilatory thresholds all
correlated with race time (r between 0.51 and 0.80;p < 0.01).
Uphill walking economy, when expressed as a percentage of peak oxygen uptake,
explained 58% of performance variation; however, multiple regression analysis
revealed that the best model comprised peak oxygen uptake alone, predicting 79%
of performance. In conclusion, longer step length and greater tidal volume align
with lower energy expenditure during uphill walking. Uphill walking economy is
not an independent performance factor in ultra-trail races. Uphill-obtained peak
oxygen uptake predicts a large percentage of performance variation in
ultra-trail races.
Keywords
maximal oxygen uptake -
ventilatory thresholds -
vertical speed -
running power -
step length -
tidal volume
Publication History
Received: 08 November 2025
Accepted after revision: 12 February 2026
Accepted Manuscript online:
13 February 2026
Article published online:
26 February 2026
© 2026. Thieme. All rights reserved.
Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany
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