University of California teaming up with Waiariki

080215bf10 Start of the Tarawera ultra marathon at the Redwoods. Photo/File

The University of California has teamed up with Waiariki Institute of Technology to study recovery in ultra marathon runners.

Rotorua is quickly becoming a hub for ultramarathon running, with the 100km Tarawera Ultramarathon being staged next weekend from Rotorua to Kawerau.

Most runners will agree that a massage following a race makes them feel better, but what they don't know is whether that post-performance treatment translates to faster, if any, recovery and repair of the muscles.

Four Waiariki Institute of Technology staff members are working with an international team to try to determine just that, after being approached by The University of California to expand their research in this area.

The 2016 Ultra Running Research: Effect of massage and pneumatic compression on recovery in ultramarathon runners project is being funded by Waiariki and directed by Dr Amanda Heapy, head of department for health and sport at Waiariki, alongside Dr Martin Hoffman of University of California, Davis.

The research team will draw on expertise from Waiariki's health and nursing team as well as the sport department.

Study will be done around the Tarawera Ultramarathon next weekend and up to 80 volunteers, who complete the race, will be randomly assigned to receive a particular treatment - either massage therapy, pneumatic compression, or rest - on race day and for three consecutive days.

"As an athlete, you want to know if the recovery method you use will enhance your ability to recover to return to sport performance," Heapy said.

"For example, you want to know if your legs can actually run again well, not just feel better, so you can do the next training session or enter in the next event."