Abstract
The purpose of this study was to describe the mechanical and metabolic
responses of a typical high-intensity training session in high-level 800-m
athletes. Nine male high-level 800-m athletes (personal best
1:43–1:56 min:ss) performed a typical high-intensity
interval training session consisting of 5×200 m with
4 min rest. Countermovement jump and blood lactate were measured at
rest and after each running bout. Running times, ground contact times, and
stride length were also measured. Running times and lactate (p<0.01)
progressively increased from the first to the last running bout. Jump height
(p<0.01) and stride length (p<0.05) progressively decreased
from the first running bout to the last. A significant negative relationship
(p<0.001; r =−0.83) was found between the individual
values of jumping height and blood lactate concentration; and a significant
positive relationship (p<0.01; r=0.67) was observed between
the time in the 200 m and the contact times. In conclusion, the
results demonstrated that the typical training session performed by 800-m
athletes produced a high level of fatigue as evidenced by significant
alterations in the mechanical and metabolic response. The impairments
observed in the mechanical and metabolic parameters may indirectly reflect a
state of energy deficit of the muscle contractile machinery and a reduction
of the force-generating capacity.
Key words
interval-training - performance - lactate - countermovement jump - middledistance running
