The Future of Running Training

Could robot coaching and AI become the norm?

Running Training and Artificial Intelligence (AI)

With recent topical discussions of the impact of artificial intelligence on human operations, we thought we'd review briefly some of the potential implications on coaching and running training:

• Training Plan Formulation and Development - in tandem with the development of smart watches and other methods of recording physical effort and run performance data, training programmes can be set according to goals, monitoring progress and considering tweaks to the plan as the athlete completes each stage.

• Training Load and Injury Assessment - not all runners are the same, and recovery can be impacted by a range of factors. Smart watches and training apps using AI could potentially pick up warning signs and advise of the need to reduce or adjust training load. Of course, many athletic injuries aren't caused by overload, so some additional assessment and good practice is necessary.

• Running Form Analysis - the use of video analysis and comparison with idealised computer models, can make suggestions for improvement areas and make suggestions for exercises to achieve idealised form. Some of these may not be appropriate for a given individuals, and further video analysis and testing may be necessary to verify the recommendations.

There are potential benefits in reducing coach workload and training plans can be 'gamified' to provide motivation, and improve tracking. They could be an additional integration element with feedback answers provided by runners to provide an element of confirmation.

An assessment of race performance can help review strategies and determine factors causing an improvement or decline in performance. For the approach to be valid, there are potential limitations which may need to be addressed outside AI, for example the change of diet, and the confirmatory actions of a human coach advisable from a safety and reassurance perspective.

The extent of use of AI and other technological innovations may often depend of the goals, experience and level of commitment of the subject. Many of the training approaches and techniques to improve performance would have been evolved over time, and the personal involvement of a coach to allow a tailored individual approach to be achieved, would likely already cover many of the expected gains from an elementary AI approach. There are, however, some potential new gains to be realised as the athlete develops and increases the rigour of their training plan in their performance journey.

There are plenty of useful apps and devices which many of us use already, though for many folks we see at Freerun, it is those early steps on the journey that excite us, the community of runners seeking general fitness improvements and the enjoyment of participating and interacting with others. So perhaps the future of training may well change and provide the potential for greater enhancement of running performance, but the fundamentals of our participation and enjoyment are likely to remain largely technology-free with an emphasis on human factors and community.

We can discuss technology use and integration further on our 1-to-1 programmes, Speed 5K and Sustain 10K+; head to https://www.freerun.org.uk/run-classes-training for more information if you're looking for a coached run performance plan.