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 (V̇O₂ max, ml·kg^-1·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·kg^-1,min^-1). Running economy evaluated from oxygen uptake measurements at 15 km/h (V̇O_{2 15}) and 20 km/h (V̇O_{2 20}) did not differ significantly between the groups even though V̇O_{2 15} tended to be lower in the long-distance runners. The running velocity corresponding to a blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol/l (v_{Hla 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 (V̇O₂) at v_{Hla 4.0} in percentage of V̇O₂ max did not differ significantly between the groups. The blood lactate concentration after exhaustion (V̇O₂ 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 interrelated) variables in which this was most clearly seen were the maximal oxygen uptake (ml·kg^-1·min^-1) and the running velocity corresponding to a blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol/l.

Key words

athletes - treadmill test - maximal oxygen uptake - anaerobic threshold - running economy