The present study investigated to what extent maximum oxygen uptake VO2max) and fractional utilization (%VO2max) in 5-km competition speed correlate with 5-km performance times among elite long distance runners. Eight elite long distance runners with 5-km performance times of 15.10 minutes ( ± 32 seconds) were tested for VO2max during an incremental protocol and for %VO2max during an 8-minute treadmill test at the velocity representing their 5-km seasonal best performance time. There was no correlation between fractional utilization and 5-km performance. The study showed no significant difference between VO2max obtained during an incremental VO2max test and %VO2max when running for 8 minutes at the runner's individual 5-km competition speed. The 5-km time was related to the runner's VO2max even in a homogenous high-level performance group. In conclusion, the present study found no relationship between fractional utilization and 5-km performance time. Training aiming to increase %VO2max may thus be of little or no importance in performance enhancement for competitions lasting up to approximately 20 minutes.
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