Research show that the inter-individual variance and strongest predictors of middle- and long-distance running performance depend on; VO2max, % of VO2max, VO2max velocity, running economy (RE), lactate threshold (LT) and LT velocity (Saltin et al. 1995; Bassett, and Howley 2000; di Prampero 2003). A review of literature show that the development of training methods have traditionally been based on short-term studies among untrained or moderate trained individuals coupled with anecdotal evidence from experienced coaches and successful athletes. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of two different intervention training regimes on VO2max, VO2max velocity, RE, LT velocity and running performance on a group of well-trained male middle-distance runners. Methods: Twenty-six well-trained male middle-distance runners participated in the present study. The subjects were all highly committed to training, running 90 ± 14 km per week. All participants were tested on VO2max, VO2max velocity, RE, LT, LT velocity and a performance test on treadmill. The participants were matched according to their pre-test results, then randomly assigned into one of two groups, a high volume (60 km) low intensity training group (HVLI-group); and a high-intensity low volume (40 km) training group (HILVgroup). The training volume and distribution of intensity in the intervention period (10 weeks) was by performing 33 % of the total workout at 82-92 % of HR max and 67 % performed at 65-82 % of HR max for the HILV-group, and 13 % of the total workout at 82-92 % of HR max and 87 % was performed at 65-82 % HR max for the HVLI-group. Results: No marked differences were found between groups in all measures made in this study. Furthermore, the HILV-group had a marked increased in VO2max velocity and LT velocity after the training period when compared to pre-test. Both groups had a marked improvement in RE. The performance test showed that the HILV-group made 456 m (1.38 min) and the HVLI-group 273 m (54 sec) in progress. The production of lactic acid (La) was notably higher in the HILVgroup (0.9 mmol) when compared to pre-test. Conclusion: The findings in this study show that male middle-distance runners improves in VO2max velocity and LT velocity better when they train around anaerobic threshold than training with low intensity for a short period of 10 weeks.
© Copyright 2009 14th annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, Oslo/Norway, June 24-27, 2009, Book of Abstracts. Veröffentlicht von The Norwegian School of Sport Sciences. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.