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Int J Sports Med 2009; 30(1): 40-45
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1038761
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Treadmill Velocity Best Predicts 5000-m Run Performance

E. Stratton1 , B. J. O'Brien1 , J. Harvey1 , J. Blitvich1 , A. J. McNicol1 , D. Janissen1 , C. Paton2 , W. Knez3
  • 1School of Human Movement & Sport Sciences, University of Ballarat, Ballarat, Australia
  • 2Department of Sport Science, Eastern Institute of Technology, Napier, New Zealand
  • 3Institute of Sport and Exercise Science, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Molecular Sciences, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision June 4, 2008

Publication Date:
24 July 2008 (online)

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Abstract

In this study, we aimed to investigate physiological determinants of endurance performance that best predict 5000-m average run velocity before and after endurance training. Thirty-nine previously untrained participants completed a 5000-m run; a constant velocity test (measuring running economy); and an incremental treadmill test to determine maximal oxygen uptake, final treadmill velocity, and velocity and oxygen uptake at lactate threshold, before and after six weeks of endurance training. Maximal oxygen uptake, final treadmill velocity, and velocity and oxygen uptake at threshold all increased significantly after training (p < 0.05). Average velocity for 5000 m increased significantly (p < 0.05). Running economy was not significantly altered. Correlation analysis revealed final treadmill velocity was most strongly related to 5000-m performance, in both untrained and trained states (r = 0.89, 0.83). Lactate threshold velocity (r = 0.73, 0.76), maximal oxygen uptake (r = 0.55, 0.51) and oxygen uptake at threshold (r = 0.45, 0.45) also showed significant correlations. In contrast, running economy was not significantly related to performance. These results demonstrate that final treadmill velocity in an V˙O2max test is the single best predictor of 5000-m performance in untrained and trained states. Furthermore, stepwise regression analysis showed that only velocity at lactate threshold significantly improved the accuracy of prediction provided by final treadmill velocity alone.

Key words

lactate - maximal oxygen uptake - performance prediction - running

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Dr. PhD Brendan Joseph O'Brien

University of Ballarat
School of Human Movement & Sport Sciences

University Drive, Mt Helen

3350 Ballarat

Australia

Phone: + 61 3 53 27 96 77

Fax: + 61 3 53 27 94 78

Email: b.obrien@ballarat.edu.au