The main aim of this two-part study was to evaluate the time course of oxygen uptake in the1500m. In part one, races of 49 world-class and national-class runners were analysed to identify the pacing model used by elite performers. In part two, eleven trained middle distance runners performed a progressive increment test to determine VO2max and a full effort time trial (the mean running velocity corresponding to 107.6 + 2% of maximum aerobic speed) using the identified pacing model. In both tests, performed on the track, VO2 response was measured with a portable telemetric gas exchange system. It was found that the mean value of VO2max recorded during the progressive increment test (66.1 + 7.0 ml/mn-1/kg-1) was reached 459 + 59.6 metres (55.9 + 7.5 seconds) after the start. It was also found that VO2 decreased (8%) at the end of the run for 8 of 10 of the subjects.
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