Most coaches use hills for strengthening the muscles and/or to develop greater anaerobic capabilities. However, according to some top coaches and trainers of masters world record holders, hills are aerobically intense without too much strain on the muscles and joints”.
This statement seems to contradict what seems to be common knowledge in the running community. Running up moderately steep inclined hills at a faster and faster pace as recommended is definitely anaerobic — not aerobic — although the aerobic system will come into play during recovery.
Even the statement that running hills does not put much strain on the muscles and joints is debatable. Most coaches are in agreement that running hills is quite stressful. If they were not, there would be little if any strength gains.
This is but another example of how there is still much confusion and contradictory statements made in popular running magazines. It appears that the only credential needed to be quoted in these magazines is to work with a high-level runner.
But this is a lame excuse for making contradictory statements without backup. But then it behooves the editors to catch such glaring contradictions and to bring out both sides of the problem so that the reader can make an intelligent decision.
If not, you can rest assured that there will be many runners following this advice who will inadvertently come down with an injury. I think it is great that coaches have different opinions and use different practices. But there should be good substantiation for what they say and do. They should understand what they are doing and why.
For more information, read the second edition of Explosive Running.