Butts, Nancy K.; Tucker, Mary; Smith, Robert. Maximal Responses to
Treadmill and Deep Water Running in High School
Female Cross Country
Runners. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 62(2): 236-239;
1991.
Physiological factors during deep water running (DWR) with a wet vest
and treadmill running were
compared among female high school runners (N
= 12) to compare the validity of DWR as a
training tool. Each subject
performed a maximal VO2 test on the treadmill and in the water wearing
a “Wet Vest” (Bioenergetics, Inc., Pelham, AL). No significant
differences in maximum VE, RPE, or RER occurred between the two
training interventions (p < .01). Maximum HR and VO2 were both
significantly lower during DWR (p < .001). The water temperature
(29º C) was slightly below thermoneutral (30-34º C), a range which has
been shown to produce lower heart rates compared to land.