Maximal and Submaximal Oxygen Uptakes and Blood Lactate Levels in Elite Male Middle- and Long-Distance Runners

Abstract

Physiological characteristics of elite runners from different racing events were studied. Twenty-seven middle- and long-distance runners and two 400-m runners belonging to the Swedish national team in track and field were divided, according to their distance preferences, into six groups from 400 m up to the marathon. The maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max, ml X kg-1 X min-1) on the treadmill was higher the longer the main distance except for the marathon runners (e.g., 800-1500-m group, 72.1; 5000-10,000-m group, 78.7 ml X kg-1 X min-1). Running economy evaluated from oxygen uptake measurements at 15 km/h (VO2 15) and 20 km/h (VO2 20) did not differ significantly between the groups even though VO2 15 tended to be lower in the long-distance runners. The running velocity corresponding to a blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol/l (vHla 4.0) differed markedly between the groups with the highest value (5.61 m/s) in the 5000-10,000-m group. The oxygen uptake (VO2) at vHla 4.0 in percentage of VO2 max did not differ significantly between the groups. The blood lactate concentration after exhaustion (VO2 max test) was lower in the long-distance runners. In summary, the present study demonstrates differences in physiological characteristics of elite runners specializing in different racing events. The two single (but certainly inter-related) variables in which this was most clearly seen were the maximal oxygen uptake (ml X kg-1 X min-1) and the running velocity corresponding to a blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol/l.

Maximal Aerobic Power Characteristics of Male Professional Soccer Players, 1989–2012

“…Assuming comparable monitoring instruments and procedures, we do not believe that aerobic demands in soccer are similar to those of elite middle-distance runners. 5 Apor 2 reported that lower-division teams in Hungary had lower VO 2max than teams playing in higher divisions. However, those differences were not tested for significance.…”

“…In contrast, Stølen et al 1 claim that it would be reasonable to expect about 70 mL · kg -1 · min -1 for a 75-kg professional soccer player, a value similar to that in elite middle-distance athletes. 5 It is also unclear whether there are positional differences in VO 2max among male soccer athletes. 4,6,7 The Norwegian Olympic training center has served as a standard testing facility for a large number of teams across a broad range of performance levels, including essentially all national-team players.…”

“…In contrast, Stølen et al 1 claim that it would be reasonable to expect about 70 mL · kg -1 · min -1 for a 75-kg professional soccer player, a value similar to that in elite middle-distance athletes. 5 It is also unclear whether there are positional differences in VO 2max among male soccer athletes. 4,6,7 Stølen et al 1 claim that junior soccer players traditionally have lower VO 2max than seniors.…”

The Effect of High- vs. Low-Intensity Training on Aerobic Capacity in Well-Trained Male Middle-Distance Runners

“…However, the study of Coyle (1995) showed that the velocity at lactate threshold (vLT) has a higher correlation with running performance than VO2max, % VO2max and RE (9). This is probably due to the fact that vLT is determined by VO2max, % VO2max and RE (33). Recent research indicates however that velocity at maximal oxygen consumption (vVO2max) has a stronger relationship to running performance in middle-distance running (4,17,21,33).…”

“…This is probably due to the fact that vLT is determined by VO2max, % VO2max and RE (33). Recent research indicates however that velocity at maximal oxygen consumption (vVO2max) has a stronger relationship to running performance in middle-distance running (4,17,21,33). The vVO2max depends on an integrative contribution of aerobic and anaerobic energy abilities (8,10,21).…”