Jean C. Renoux

Reproducibility of running time to exhaustion at VO2max in subelite runners.

The purpose of this study was to assess the reproducibility of running time to exhaustion (Tlim) at maximal aerobic speed (MAS: the minimum speed that elicits VO2max), on eight subelite male long distance runners (29 +/- 3-yr-old; VO2max = 69.5 +/- 4.2 ml.kg-1.min-1; MAS = 21.25 +/- 1.1 km.h-1). No significant differences were observed between Tlim measured on a treadmill at a 1-wk interval (404 +/- 101 s vs 402 +/- 113 s; r = 0.864); however, observation of individual data indicates a wide within-subjects variability (CV = 25%). In a small and homogenous sample of runners studied, exercise time to exhaustion at MAS was not related to VO2max (r = 0.138), MAS (r = 0.241), running economy (mlO2.kg-1.min-1 at 16 km.h-1) (r = 0.024), or running performance achieved for 3000 m (km.h-1)(r = 0.667). However, Tlim at MAS was significantly related to the lactate threshold determined by the distinctive acceleration point detected in the lactate curve around 3-5 mmol.l-1 expresses in %VO2max (r = 0.745) and to the speed over a 21.1-km race (km.h-1) (r = 0.719). These data demonstrate that running time to exhaustion at MAS in subelite male long distance runners is related to long distance performance and lactate threshold but not to VO2max or MAS.

Times to exhaustion at 90,100 and 105% of velocity at V̇O2 max (Maximal aerobic speed) and critical speed in elite longdistance runners

Previous studies had concluded that the treadmill velocity-endurance time hyperbolic relationship for runs could be accuratly approached with a regression at condition that bouts of exercise duration were included between 2 and 12 min. This regression allows to calculate the critical speed (CS) defined as the slope of the regression of work (distance) on time to exhaustion, the anaerobic running capacity (ARC) being the intercept of this line (Monod & Scherrer, 1965). The purpose of this investigation was to give practical indication concerning the choice of the velocities in reference to the maximal aerobic speed (MAS i.e. the minimum speed which elicits VO2max). Subjects were fourteen elite male long-distance runners (27 +/- 3 years old; VO2max = 74.9 +/- 2.9 ml.kg-1.min-1, MAS = 22.4 +/- 0.8 km.h-1, CS = 19.3 +/- 0.7 km.h-1 and 86.2 +/- 1.5% MAS). tlim 100 values (321 +/- 83 s) were negatively correlated with MAS (r = -0.538, p < 0.05) and with CS (km.h-1) (r = -0.644, p < 0.01). tlim 90 (1015 +/- 266 s) was positively correlated with CS when expressed in % MAS (r = 0.645, p < 0.01) and not when expressed in km.h-1 (r = -0.095, P > 0.05). tlim 105 (176 +/- 40 s) only was correlated with ARC (r = 0.526, p < 0.05). These data demonstrate that running time to exhaustion at 100 and 105% of MAS in a homogeneous elite male long-distance runners group is inversely related to MAS. Moreover, tlim 90 is positively correlated with CS (%MAS) but neither with tlim 100 and 105 nor with maximal aerobic speed. So from a practical point of view, the velocities chosen to determine the critical speed, would be closed to the maximal aerobic speed (time to exhaustion around 6 min), taking into account that the tlim 105 is correlated with the anaerobic capacity, whereas tlim 90 is correlated with the critical speed.

OXYGEN DEFICIT IS RELATED TO THE EXERCISE TIME TO EXHAUSTION AT MAXIMAL AEROBIC SPEED IN MIDDLE DISTANCE RUNNERS

The purpose of this study was to show the relationship between oxygen deficit and the time to exhaustion (tlim) at maximal aerobic speed (MAS). The minimum speed that elicits VO(2max) was assumed to be the maximal aerobic speed (MAS). Fourteen subelite male runners (mean (SD: age = 27 +/- 5 yrs: VO(2max) = 68.9 +/- 4.6 ml kg (-1). min ( -1); MAS = 21.5 +/- 1 km h (-1) ) participated in the study. Each subject performed an incremental test to determine and MAS. The subjects ran to exhaustion at velocities corresponding to 100 and 120 % MAS. Oxygen deficit was measured during the period exercise to exhaustion at 120% of MAS and was calculated from the difference between O(2) demand and the accumulated O 2 uptake. The tlim values at 100% MAS were correlated with the values of tlim at 120% MAS (r = 0.52). The results reveal that the oxygen deficit was related to the time to exhaustion at MAS and indicate that the greater the oxygen deficit, the greater the time to exhaustion at MAS. It was also noted that the adjustment of oxygen consumption is related to the oxygen deficit. In other words, the subjects who have an important anaerobic capacity are the most efficient during an exercise time to exhaustion at MAS. The time limit values can be expressed by a linear regression making intervene MAS and anaerobic capacity. This conclusion could be of great interest in the training of middle distance runners.

Calculation of times to exhaustion at 100 and 120% maximal aerobic speed

The aim was to compare physiologic responses during exhaustive runs performed on a treadmill at 100. and 120% maximal aerobic speed (MAS: the minimum speed that elicits VO2max). Fourteen subelite male runners (mean±SD; age=27±5 years; VO2max=68.9±4.6 ml.kg- 1.min- 1; MAS=21.5±1km.h-1) participated. Mean time to exhaustion (t lim100%) at 100% MAS (269±77s) was similar to those reported in other studies. However, there was large variability in individual t lim100% MAS (CV=29%). MAS was positively. lim100% correlated with VO (r=0.66, p<0.05) but not with t lim MAS (r=-0.50, p<0.05). t lim MAS was correlated with t at 120% MAS(r=0.52, p<0.05) and to blood pH following the rest at 120% MAS (r=-0.68, p<0.05). The data suggest that running time to exhaustion at MAS in subelite male runners is related to time limit at 120% (t lim) MAS. Moreover, anaerobic capacity determined by the exercise to exhaustion at 120% MAS can be defined as the variable ‘a’ in the model of Monod and Scherrer (1954).