Loughborough University announces partnership with Runna to bring the latest sports science to runners globally. 25 August 2026 Loughborough University has today announced a partnership with top-rated coaching app, Runna. The collaboration will see the latest sports science insights from Loughborough University embedded within the app, informing users worldwide of the latest research in this field. Runna's training plans are developed by experienced coaches using established training principles, personalised to each runner's history and have progressive load building and structured recovery built-in. This new partnership with Loughborough University will embed the very latest sports science and academic research within Runna's training logic. Specifically, the partnership will review how the plans progress pace and distance, and incorporate recovery, against the latest academic research on training load, intensity distribution and recovery protocols. In a sport where injuries are common, this new partnership will help ensure robust and thorough academic rigour is represented within Runna's coach-designed training plans. This collaboration is a reflection of Runna's commitment to continually investing in its product, and the development of its training plans to best support the needs of its global community of runners. The commissioned review will be led by Dr Richard Blagrove, Reader in Applied Exercise Physiology and Athlete Performance at Loughborough University's School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences. Dr Blagrove is also an accredited Strength and Conditioning Coach (ASCC), has held the position of Director of the UK Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA) and over the previous two decades has provided his expertise to several Olympic and Paralympic athletes. A published author of 'Strength and Conditioning for Endurance Running', Dr Blagrove has also consulted numerous national sporting organisations and governing bodies. Dr Richard Blagrove, Reader in Applied Exercise Physiology and Athlete Performance at Loughborough University, said: "Running is a high-impact sport with high risk of injury, and there are three key areas that can contribute to injuries being experienced - training load, intensity distribution and recovery. Our work with Runna will build the latest sports science on those specific areas into their expert training logic that has been developed by their accredited coaches. By combining sports science alongside Runna's coach expertise, it will offer a unique, best-in-class training experience for runners around the world that cannot be replicated by generic AI training plans." "Our ambition is to help make running training more effective, enjoyable and easy for everyone, and we love that more people are taking up running than ever before. We're proud to make expert coaching accessible and affordable for everyone," said Steph Kessell, Runna Head Coach and Former Olympian. "Through this partnership, we are ensuring our training plans incorporate the ever-evolving and latest sport science research, which will go one step further to best support runners at all levels to train sustainably." This partnership builds on the collaboration Strava has with Stanford University to bring leading sports science to 195 million athletes worldwide. It will be the first-step in a long term collaboration with both Strava and Runna.

Runna's new feature adjusts training plans Based on extreme weather. If you prefer running outdoors, this new feature could help you stay on track through the summer heat. Fitness and Nutrition Writer I'm a Fitness & Nutrition writer for CNET who enjoys reviewing the latest fitness gadgets, testing out activewear and sneakers, as well as debunking wellness/fitness myths... Read full bio July 29, 2026, 4:22 pm ET Running app Runna announced on Wednesday that users can now adapt their training plans to local weather conditions with its new Adapt for Heat feature, allowing them to stay on track instead of skipping workouts during hot weather. The popular run-coaching app found that 80% of its members skipped workouts or adjusted their runs due to the summer heat. Runna launched in 2022 and is available for iOS and Android in over 180 countries. The Adapt for Heat feature includes the following: Color-coded hourly forecast: Based on local weather conditions, it shows the times of day when it's hottest or coolest, allowing the runner to choose a training window that works best for them. Adjusted pacing: Hotter conditions require runners to scale back their pace, and the Runna coach assigned to a user will adjust their pace accordingly. More personalization for runners: Runna already personalizes runners' training plans based on their pacing and other information they submit when setting up their account. Now, it will be able to recalculate based on the feels-like temperature, along with the assigned training session and its duration. A representative for Runna did not immediately respond to a request for more details. With climate change bringing hotter summers and wildfires, athletes who enjoy running, cycling, hiking and other outdoor activities must take weather and environment changes into consideration for safety reasons. Most athletes are aware that exercising early in the morning or later in the day is safer during extreme weather, along with extra hydration, electrolytes and proper fueling. But knowing how to adjust their training isn't always clear. More options for runners. Not all running apps or wearables allow runners to adapt their runs based on the weather. Some provide feedback that can help adjust training. Select Garmin running watches can now account for how heat and elevation affect a runner's performance through a heat and altitude acclimation feature. The feature adjusts VO2 max estimates - a measure of how efficiently the body uses oxygen during intense exercise - when temperatures exceed 72 degrees. It also tracks altitude changes by comparing current conditions with data from past training. Another wearable, the Core Body Temperature Sensor, is worn on a heart rate monitor strap and reads your thermal vitals in real time during training. This data shows how your core body temperature responds to and adapts to hot weather. Other features coming to the Runna app in August include Upcoming Plans, which will allow runners to create and schedule multiple training plans at the same time based on races throughout the year. Runna is also relaunching Post-Race Recovery Plans, a feature designed to help runners safely return to training after a race by guiding their recovery and preventing them from doing too much too soon. The Adapt for Heat feature is available in the app now, with Upcoming Plans and the revamped Post-Race Recovery Plans coming in August. Giselle Castro-Sloboda Fitness and Nutrition Writer I'm a Fitness & Nutrition writer for CNET who enjoys reviewing the latest fitness gadgets, testing out activewear and sneakers, as well as debunking wellness/fitness myths. In my free time I enjoy cooking, going for a scenic run, hitting the weight room, or watching a documentary. I am a former personal trainer and still enjoy learning and brushing up on my training knowledge from time to time. I've had my wellness and lifestyle content published in various online publications such as: Women's Health, Shape, Healthline, Popsugar and more. See full bio The latest from giselle. The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.