Comparison of 3 different coaching methods for endurance running in upper elementary school children

This study investigated 1 class in the 5th grade of elementary school (12 boys and 16 girls) who received coaching in endurance running using 3 methods : the all-out method, in which children ran at almost full exertion; the inner/outer track (I/OT) method, in which the duration of exercise was equalized by having slower/faster runners use the inner/outer running tracks, respectively; and the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) method, in which children ran at a “fairly light — somewhat hard” intensity. We compared the changes in awareness regarding endurance running and explored the factors responsible for these changes based on exercise intensity and pace strategy. Our results were as follows: 1) Before implementation of the coaching methods, the percentage of those who perceived endurance running favorably was significantly higher for boys (83.3%) than for girls (43.8%) (p ＝ .046) and for other question items, scores for boys were generally higher. 2) After implementation of the coaching methods, favorable responses remained high at 91.7% for boys and increased to 62.5 - 75.0% for girls, irrespective of coaching method. However, there were no significant differences among the 3 methods, and no tendency for the positivity rate to increase for any particular method. 3) For each coaching method, running speed showed a U-shaped curve, with no apparent gender difference. However, the running speed and stride length that contributed to it were significantly higher in boys than in girls. 4) Regardless of gender, the heart rate (HR) observed for each coaching method rose rapidly immediately after the start, and HRs at the 40% and 100% time points had increased to 180.9 -186.5 bpm and 182.1 - 195.3 bpm, respectively, there being no differences among the 3 methods. 5) The RPE taught before running and the RPE just after running almost matched. However, the RPE just after running was 6 (HR 60 beats/min) lower than the HR at the end of running. 6) In conclusion, there were no significant differences between the 3 coaching methods for both sexes in terms of favorable attitudes, irrespective of the type of endurance running, pace pattern or HR. However, endurance running ability and attitude towards endurance running were less favorable for girls than for boys, suggesting that a coaching method designed to develop a favorable attitude is particularly desirable for girls.