Implementing Anaerobic Speed Reserve Testing in the Field: Validation of vVO2max Prediction From 1500-m Race Performance in Elite Middle-Distance Runners

Abstract

Purpose: Anaerobic speed reserve (ASR), defined as the speed range from velocity associated with maximal oxygen uptake (vVO2max) to maximal sprint speed, has recently been shown to be an important tool for middle-distance coaches to meet event surge demands and inform on the complexity of athlete profiles. To enable field application of ASR, the relationship between gun-to-tape 1500-m average speed (1500v) and the vVO2max for the determination of lower landmark of the ASR was assessed in elite middle-distance runners. Methods: A total of 8 national and 4 international middle-distance runners completed a laboratory-measured vVO2max assessment within 6 wk of a nonchampionship 1500-m gun-to-tape race. ASR was calculated using both laboratory-derived vVO2max (ASR-LAB) and 1500v (ASR-1500v), with maximal sprint speed measured using radar technology. Results: 1500v was on average +2.06 ± 1.03 km/h faster than vVO2max (moderate effect, very likely). ASR-LAB and ASR-1500v mean differences were −2.1 ± 1.5 km/h (large effect, very likely). 1500v showed an extremely large relationship with vVO2max, r = .90 ± .12 (most likely). Using this relationship, a linear-regression vVO2max-estimation equation was derived as vVO2max (km/h) = (1500v [km/h] − 14.921)/0.4266. Conclusions: A moderate difference was evident between 1500v and vVO2max in elite middle-distance runners. The present regression equation should be applied for an accurate field prediction of vVO2max from 1500-m gun-to-tape races. These findings have strong practical implications for coaches lacking access to a sports physiology laboratory who seek to monitor and profile middle-distance runners.

Aerobic and Anaerobic Speed Predicts 800-m Running Performance in Young Recreational Runners

“…The finding in the present study that ASR was approximately similar between the fastest and the slowest runners was not surprising in light of the results from Sandford et al (2019a,b). When finding that ASR was positively related to 800-m performance and negatively related to 1,500-m performance, Sandford et al (2019b) stressed that ASR in isolation is not indicative of an athlete's caliber. As in the present study, Sandford et al (2019b) showed that with a higher MAS, but not a higher MANS, ASR becomes lower although the higher MAS in itself would contribute to a better performance.…”

“…When finding that ASR was positively related to 800-m performance and negatively related to 1,500-m performance, Sandford et al (2019b) stressed that ASR in isolation is not indicative of an athlete's caliber. As in the present study, Sandford et al (2019b) showed that with a higher MAS, but not a higher MANS, ASR becomes lower although the higher MAS in itself would contribute to a better performance. The present results that the runners with the highest ASR had the lowest MAS support the findings by Ortiz et al (2018) who demonstrated a positive correlation between MANS and ASR, but a negative correlation between MAS and ASR in soccer players.…”

“…However, Bachero-Mena et al (2017) found correlations between 20-m sprint and 800TT, and between 200 m and 800TT. In addition, Sandford et al (2019a) have put focus on the role of anaerobic speed reserve (ASR), i.e., the difference between MAS and MANS, as an important performance determining factor in the 800 m. However, from investigating the role of ASR in 1500-m runners, Sandford et al (2019b) highlights an important principle, that ASR in isolation is not indicative of an athlete's caliber if not put in context with the actual level of MAS and MANS. Ortiz et al (2018) have demonstrated a positive correlation between MANS and ASR, but a negative correlation between MAS and ASR in soccer players.…”

Crossing the Golden Training Divide: The Science and Practice of Training World-Class 800- and 1500-m Runners

“…While traditional endurance disciplines can be described as maximization challenges (i.e., training that enhances VO 2max or fractional utilization is "always positive" for performance), we propose that the 800-m event in particular requires an energy release optimization strategy that respects the interactions and trade-offs between anaerobic and aerobic metabolism emerging in both training and performance. This complexity allows internationally successful middledistance runners to present a variety of physiological profiles [12][13][14][15]. For example, VO 2max ranges from ~ 65 to 85 ml•kg•min −1 in elite men [16,29,70,71].…”

“…Despite an increasing amount of research devoted to middle-distance training [e.g., [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17], it is reasonable to argue that the developments in these disciplines have not been driven by sport scientists [18]. Publicly available "recipe books" and training diaries based upon the practical experience and intuition of world-leading athletes and coaches have become important and popular sources of best practice training information and framework development for the international middle-distance community (Table 1).…”