STEADFAST TRAINING GLOSSARY
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The cost of doing the same work.
What is exercise economy?
Exercise economy describes the oxygen or energy cost of performing a defined task at a given submaximal workload. Better economy means a lower cost for the same task.
Running economy is a familiar example: researchers measure oxygen uptake at a fixed, steady running speed. Barnes and Kilding explain how it is measured.
Think of fuel consumption in a car. Two engines with similar maximum output may use different amounts of fuel on the same journey. The analogy illustrates cost, not a complete model of human movement.
Why it matters
A large aerobic capacity does not tell you how much oxygen a particular pace requires. Endurance performance reflects the interaction between capacity, sustainable intensity, and the cost of producing movement. Joyner and Coyle review these interacting factors.
This makes economy useful when discussing performance. It also explains why “my VO₂ max did not change” is an incomplete account of a training block.
Economy is more than appearance
Running economy reflects metabolic, cardiorespiratory, biomechanical, and neuromuscular factors. A movement that looks smooth is not automatically less costly.
Economy is also different from mechanical efficiency, which compares external work with energy expenditure. Use the actual measurement name when discussing a test. The running economy review distinguishes these terms.
Make comparisons fair
| What to record | Practical example | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Workload | The same speed or cycling power | A slower task is a different comparison. |
| Conditions | Matched incline and test setup | Keep the task consistent. |
| Units | Oxygen or energy cost as reported | Avoid mixing different measures. |
| Protocol | The same method on repeat testing | Ask the tester what changed. |
Illustrative example: oxygen uptake of 30 rather than 32 mL/kg/min at the same steady running speed would indicate a lower measured oxygen cost, assuming a comparable valid protocol. These invented values show how to read a result; they are not targets or client data.
Using the idea without a laboratory
Keep a log of familiar sessions, including pace, duration, conditions, and perceived effort. That record can show practical improvement, but it cannot isolate economy as the cause.
Before changing technique, write down the problem you are trying to solve. Ask how a proposed change will be evaluated. Avoid simultaneously changing footwear, stride cues, and workload if your goal is to understand which change helped.
Steadfast cue: Compare the same task before claiming it costs less.
Frequently asked questions
Is a lower heart rate proof of better economy?
No. Heart rate is not a direct measurement of oxygen or energy cost. Record it as one observation, without assigning a cause from that number alone.
Can economy improve with training?
Yes, factors affecting running economy can adapt. The review also notes that a change that helps one runner may not help another. Individual evaluation matters.
Should everyone use the same running technique?
No single technique prescription follows from the definition of economy. Assess the person, task, and response before making changes.
Is exercise economy only relevant to runners?
No. The broader concept concerns the cost of a defined task. Keep running, walking, and cycling assessments separate because their workloads and measurement conventions differ.