Relationship Between V̇O₂max and the Aerobic Demand of Running in Elite Distance Runners

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between V̇O₂max and the aerobic demand of running (V̇O₂submax) in elite distance runners. On at least one occasion, V̇O₂max and V̇O₂submax values were obtained on 22 male subjects (X̄ age = 27±2yrs; X̄ height = 178.6±6.8cm; X̄ body mass = 64.1±5.6kg; X̄ 10km run time = 28.89±1.05 min) training for the 1994 Olympic Trials. Subjects performed 6-min, submaximal level-grade treadmill runs at four speeds (ranging from 4.47 to 5.50 m·s^-1) to determine V̇O₂submax. V̇O₂ during each run was calculated by analyzing a 2-min gas sample collected during the last 2 min of running. These values were expressed relative to distance traveled and averaged to derive an overall V̇O₂submax value. Shortly following these submaximal runs, V̇O₂max was measured. When more than one set of V̇O₂submax and V̇O₂max data were available for a particular subject, the average of all tests was used. Results indicated that mean V̇O₂max and V̇O₂submax values were 75.8±3.4 ml·kg^-1·min^-1 and 184.6±8.6ml·kg·^-1·km^-1, respectively. Correlational analyses also revealed a significant relationship (r = 0.59; p < 0.01) between V̇O₂max and V̇O₂submax. These data suggest that among similarly-performing elite distance runners, a positive relationship exists between V̇O₂max and the aerobic demand of running.

Key words

Distance running - running economy - oxygen consumption - maximal aerobic power