The aim of the present study was to explore to what extent maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) and fractional utilization (% VO2max) in 5km competition speed correlate with 5km performance times among long distance runners at a national level, and to investigate if there is a significant difference between VO2max and %VO2max at 5km competition speed. Methods: Eight elite long distance runners with 5km performance times of 15.10 minutes (± 32 sec) were tested for VO2max during an incremental protocol and for % VO2max during an eight minute treadmill test at the velocity representing their 5km seasonal best performance time. In all cases, P=0.05 was taken as the level of significance in two-tailed tests. Descriptive statistical analysis was made to display means and standard deviations (SD). To compare means, paired T-tests and independent samples T-tests were used. The data were tested for normal distribution using Quantile-Quantile (QQ) plots. Correlations were calculated by the Pearson correlation test. Results: The subjects average VO2max was 73 (±4.7) ml·kg-1·min-1 and 207.9 (±14) ml·kg-0.75·min-1. The results showed a strong correlation between performance and VO2max (R2 = 0.752 and 0.684 respectively). The average O2 expenditure of the subjects competition speed was 71.5 ml·kg-1·min-1 and 203.8 ml·kg-1·min-0.75. The mean values for VO2max was 73.1 ml·kg-1·min-1 and 207.9 ml·kg-1·min-0.75, which gives an average of 97.3 and 98 %VO2max. The results showed no correlation between fractional utilization and 5km performance. There was no significant difference between VO2max and the O2 expenditure during 8 minutes of running at the runners individual 5km competition speed. Discussion: Since %VO2max did not correlate with performance in this study, the differences in performance level among the runners must be due to another factor than the fractional utilization. Most likely, the better performance is a result from a higher VO2maks and/or a better running economy. To improve 5km performance time, the runner should focus on high intensity aerobic interval training (1) and maximal strength training (2). When improving VO2max and RE, the runner will run faster, and consequently utilize a higher percentage of VO2max during competition. Conclusion: The major finding in this study is that fractional utilization (%VO2max) does not correlate with 5km performance among elite distance runners. Training aiming to increase %VO2max may thus be of little or no importance in performance enhancement for competitions lasting up to approximately 20 min. 1. Helgerud J, Høydal K, Wang E, Karlsen T, Berg P, Bjerkaas M, Simonsen T, Helgesen C, Hjort N, Bach R, Hoff J. Aerobic high-intensity intervals improve VO2max more than moderate training Med Sci Sports Exerc 2007 Apr; 39(4): 665-671 2. Støren O, Helgerud J, Støa EM, Hoff J. Maximal Strength Training Improves Running Economy in Distance Runners, Med Sci Sports Exerc 2008; 40(6):1087-92
© Copyright 2009 14th annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, Oslo/Norway, June 24-27, 2009, Book of Abstracts. Published by The Norwegian School of Sport Sciences. All rights reserved.