Luther cross country runner Serres researching a topic involving running

Tricia Serres is best known for her performances as a cross country runner at Luther College.  She is a four-time All-American who earlier this year won the NCAA Division III outdoor 1,500 meter run national championship and finished second in the 5,000 meter run.
 
But this summer she is working as a researcher.  Granted, her research topic is close to home: the effect of core body temperature on running economy.
 
Athletes push themselves physically and mentally to run faster or for longer periods than they previously did. This is accomplished in part by developing a better running economy—-reducing the amount of oxygen needed to run a certain distance.
 
Serres is working with Luther associate professor of health and physical education Brian Solberg and Luther associate professor of biology Mark Eichinger on the research project "Effects of Core Body Temperature on Running Economy."  The research is attempting to find the key to building better running economies by finding the correlation between oxygen consumption and core body temperature.
 
Serres is studying whether elevating core body temperature is associated with a change in lactic acid production or running economy.  "As a runner, I have a personal interest in running economy. All endurance runners and athletes will benefit from the results of this project," Serres said.