Assessment of running velocity at maximal oxygen uptake

Abstract

To investigate the different ways of assessing the running velocity at which maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) occurs, or maximal aerobic velocity (vamax), 32 well-trained runners (8 female and 24 male) were studied. The vamax and the running velocity corresponding to a blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol.l-1 (vla4) were measured during a progressive treadmill session. Within the week preceding or following the treadmill measurement the subjects completed a Université de Montreal Track-Test (UMTT). The velocity corresponding to the last stage of this test (vUMTT) was slightly higher than vamax: 6.08 m.s-1, SD 0.41, vs 6.01 m.s-1, SD 0.44 (P less than 0.03) but these two velocities were strongly correlated (r = 0.92, P less than 0.001). The heart rate values corresponding to these velocities were similar and well correlated (r = 0.79, P less than 0.01); the corresponding blood lactate values had similar mean values: 10.5 mmol.l-1, SD 2.7 vs 11.8 mmol.l-1, SD 2.5, but were not correlated. Both vamax and vUMTT correlated well with the best performance sustained over 1500 m during the season. These results suggest that the UMTT provides a value of vamax as accurately as a treadmill measurement and that either could be used to measure the running velocity corresponding to VO2max. The v1a4 was 86.6%, SD 2.6 of vamax; these two velocities correlated strongly. Thus, in well trained runners, v1a4, when measured with a well-defined procedure, corresponds to a constant fraction of vamax and depends then on VO2max and the energy cost of running.

The validity of incremental exercise testing in discriminating of physiological profiles in elite runners

“…In the protocols that require the measurement of lactate concentrations, a common method is for the athlete to perform 3 to 4 minutes of effort at each intensity level with an increase in the exercise intensity of 2 km.h -1 and a resting period of 30 to 60 seconds at the completion of each intensity level to allow for blood sample collection (4,14,18,24). Previous studies have shown that different variables are correlated with middle-and long-distance running performance with this type of testing, especially in heterogeneous groups (14,18,24,30).…”

Running Speed at Predicted Maximal Heart Rate as an Assessment of Maximal Aerobic Capacity in Trained Teenaged Runners

“…Daniels (1985) previously noted that, in adult runners, the interplay of V · o 2 max, %V · o 2 max, and running economy culminated in the running velocity at V · o 2 max (vV · o 2 max). Many other investigators (Lacour et al, 1991;Bethon et al, 1997;Almarwaey et al, 2003) have confirmed the strength of relationships between vV · o 2 max (or vV · o 2 peak) and the running speeds of middle-and longdistance runners. The determination of vV · o 2 max, however, requires bulky and expensive equipment.…”

“…To date, V · o 2 max, vV · o 2 max, and vLT have all been used as physiological indices of endurance running performance; (Morgan et al, 1989;Lacour et al, 1991). In this study, running speed on a treadmill was intermittently increased until each subject became exhausted or the test ended.…”

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The performance of endurance athletes depends upon the fractional utilization of V · o 2 max (%V · o 2 max) (di Prampero et al, 1986;Morgan et al, 1989), and, thus, the individual's V · o 2 max and running economy (RE, V · o 2 at a specified, sub-maximal running speed) (Conley and Krahenbuhl, 1986;Lacour et al, 1991;Yamaji, 1997). Daniels (1985) and di Prampero et al (1986) found that, in adults, the velocity at the maximal oxygen intake (vV · o 2 max), depending on V · o 2 max and RE, was a useful marker of running-related endurance.

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“…Daniels (1985) and di Prampero et al (1986) found that, in adults, the velocity at the maximal oxygen intake (vV · o 2 max), depending on V · o 2 max and RE, was a useful marker of running-related endurance. V · o 2 max and RE both bear a close relationship to the average running velocity over events ranging from a 1500-m race to a full-length marathon (Bethon et al, 1997;Hill and Rowell, 1996;Lacour et al, 1991). Though the directly measured V · o 2 max and vV · o 2 max are the most precise physiologic markers of aerobic capacity in runners, such measurements are not always feasible or convenient.…”