Comparison of Three Maximal Anaerobic Running Test Protocols in Marathon Runners, Middle-Distance Runners and Sprinters

Three modifications of the maximal anaerobic running test (MART) were compared in sprinters (Spr, n = 5), middle-distance runners (Mid, n = 5) and marathon runners (Mar, n = 6). The MART₁, MART₃ and MART₅ consisted of n sets of 1 · 20-s. 3 · 20-s and 5 20-s runs, respectively, on a treadmill with 40-s recovery between the runs and 100-s recovery between the sets. In each MART the velocity of the first set of runs was 3.0 m ·s^-1 and the slope 4°. Thereafter, the velocity was gradually increased by 0.38 m · s^-1 for each consecutive set until exhaustion. After each set and after exhaustion fingertip blood samples were taken to determine lactate concentration and three counter-movement jumps (CMJ) were performed. Maximal (P_max) and submaximal (P_4mM) running power in each MART was expressed as the oxygen demand (m · kg^-1 · min^-1 ') of the runs. In MART₁, Mar had a significantly lower P_max than Mid or Spr (mean + SD; 97.8 ± 5.4 vs. 121.0 ± 4.4 vs. 119.2 ± 5.4 ml · kg^-1 · min^-1). while in MART₃ the groups did not differ significantly, and the sprinters were unable to perform MART₅. Mar, Mid and Spr attained the lower P_max the more runs per set in MART (p < 0.01). Mar had the higher peak blood lactate the more runs each set consisted of (p < 0.001). In Mid and Spr, the peak blood lactate did not differ significantly between the MARTs but was significantly higher than the corresponding peak blood lactate of the marathon runners. P_max in MART₁, correlated positively with maximal 20-m sprinting speed on a track and with CMJ height (p < 0.001, n = 16) but negatively with VO₂max(p < 0.001 ,n = 16) while in MART₃ no significant correlations were found. It was concluded that the n · 1 · 20-s protocol should be used to measure the maximal anaerobic power of all runners. However, in long-distance runners more runs per set may be needed to evaluate their anaerobic capacity.

Key words

Anaerobic power and capacity - blood lactate - treadmill test - athletes