Human movement, sport equipment, environment

This course offers a comprehensive exploration of human performance in activities involving locomotion in natural environments with the utilization of equipment. A significative part of the course uses trail running as the common thread. 

Combining teaching from biomechanics, exercise physiology and environmental physiology, the students will gain theoretical knowledge on performance in natural environment (including at altitude and in the heat) and have a chance to work in group on the role of equipment in human performance.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

• Have a better view on an integrative approach of endurance activities in outdoor environment
• Have a greater knowledge in the effects of hypoxia and heat on performance
• Better understand the role of heat and hypoxia as training tools
• Improve oral communication skills

1. Performance in endurance sport in natural environment: the example of trail running

– Introduction: where, how and why do people run?

– Determinants of trail running performance 

– Consequences for training: how to prepare for trail and ultra-trail running?

– Interaction between endurance and cost of running

– Equipment

o Poles 

o Shoes

o Compression

o Hydration

o Wearable technologies

– Biomechanical and neuromuscular specificities of downhill running

– Consequences for fatigue and muscle damage 

– Sex differences in endurance performance

– An integrative approach of endurance performance: the Flush model.  

1. Altitude and heat

– Altitude

• Definition of hypoxia
• Acute physiological adaptations
• Chronic physiological adaptations
• Training perspectives

– Heat

• Heat and heat stress
• Acute physiological adaptations
• Chronic physiological adaptations
• Training perspectives

• Written Assessment (/20):

90 min exam.