Introduction: Most long-distance running performances can be explained by three physiological variables: maximal oxygen uptake (V(..)O2max), running economy (RE), and lactate threshold (LT); however, a model explaining 800 m running performance has not been established. Aerobic and anaerobic metabolisms contribute 60% and 40%, respectively, to the overall energy expended during an 800 m running event (Hill, 1999), having greater metabolic capacities for both is essential for the best performance. Maximal accumulated oxygen deficit (MAOD) and peak accumulated blood lactate concentration ( bLa), known as the anaerobic metabolic capacity, are related to 800 m running performance (Bosquet et al., 2007). The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationships with 800-m running performance and aerobic and anaerobic running capacity in homogeneous performance runners, and to investigate a model to explain 800 m running performance. Methods: Ten male university student middle-distance runners (age 19.6 ± 1.0 yr; height 170.5 ± 4.8 cm; body mass 58.8 ± 3.3 kg; 800 m personal best time 1`52"4 ± 1"9) took part in this study. They carried out four running tests within 7 days: 800 m, maximal, submaximal (65, 70, 75, 80, 85 and 90 %V(..)O2max) and supramaximal tests (121.7 ± 4.4 %V(..)O2max). RE was estimated as energy cost (kcal/kg/km) during 65%V(..)O2max running, LT was expressed as intensity of V(..)O2max. Results: A significant positive relationship was observed between 800 m running performance (25.0 ± 0.8 km/h) and V(..)O2max (p<0.05) but not MAOD (p=0.76), RE (p=0.60), LT (p=0.09) and bLa (p=0.12). 57.2% of the 800 m running performance was explained by V(..)O2max (VIF=1.33), LT (VIF=1.15), RE (VIF=1.22), MAOD (VIF=2.05) and bLa (VIF=1.64) (p=0.13). Discussion: This study showed that V(..)O2max was the most important variable in an 800 m running performance. On the other hand, bLa explains the variables for 800 m running performance better than MAOD. It was suggested that MAOD was not an important variable to estimate the 800 m running performance in homogeneous performance runners. Aerobic metabolism contributes to 60% of the overall energy expended during an 800 m run (Hill, 1999), however 800 m running performance was explained 57.2% by even aerobic and anaerobic physiological variables in homogeneous performance runners.
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