Jérôme Durussel

Dissociation between running economy and running performance in elite Kenyan distance runners

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between running economy (RE) and performance in a homogenous group of competitive Kenyan distance runners. Maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) (68.8 ± 3.8 ml∙kg−1∙min−1) was determined on a motorised treadmill in 32 Kenyan (25.3 ± 5.0 years; IAAF performance score: 993 ± 77 p) distance runners. Leg anthropometry was assessed and moment arm of the Achilles tendon determined. While Achilles moment arm was associated with better RE (r2 = 0.30, P = 0.003) and upper leg length, total leg length and total leg length to body height ratio were correlated with running performance (r = 0.42, P = 0.025; r = 0.40, P = 0.030 and r = 0.38, P = 0.043, respectively), RE and maximal time on treadmill (tmax) were not associated with running performance (r = −0.01, P = 0.965; r = 0.27; P = 0.189, respectively) in competitive Kenyan distance runners. The dissociation between RE and running performance in this homogenous group of runners would suggest that RE can be compensated by other factors to maintain high performance levels and is in line with the idea that RE is only one of many factors explaining elite running performance.

Haemoglobin Mass and Running Time Trial Performance after Recombinant Human Erythropoietin Administration in Trained Men

Recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) increases haemoglobin mass (Hbmass) and maximal oxygen uptake ( O2 max). Purpose This study defined the time course of changes in Hbmass, O2 max as well as running time trial performance following 4 weeks of rHuEpo administration to determine whether the laboratory observations would translate into actual improvements in running performance in the field. Methods 19 trained men received rHuEpo injections of 50 IU•kg−1 body mass every two days for 4 weeks. Hbmass was determined weekly using the optimized carbon monoxide rebreathing method until 4 weeks after administration. O2 max and 3,000 m time trial performance were measured pre, post administration and at the end of the study. Results Relative to baseline, running performance significantly improved by ∼6% after administration (10∶30±1∶07 min:sec vs. 11∶08±1∶15 min:sec, p<0.001) and remained significantly enhanced by ∼3% 4 weeks after administration (10∶46±1∶13 min:sec, p<0.001), while O2 max was also significantly increased post administration (60.7±5.8 mL•min−1•kg−1 vs. 56.0±6.2 mL•min−1•kg−1, p<0.001) and remained significantly increased 4 weeks after rHuEpo (58.0±5.6 mL•min−1•kg−1, p = 0.021). Hbmass was significantly increased at the end of administration compared to baseline (15.2±1.5 g•kg−1 vs. 12.7±1.2 g•kg−1, p<0.001). The rate of decrease in Hbmass toward baseline values post rHuEpo was similar to that of the increase during administration (−0.53 g•kg−1•wk−1, 95% confidence interval (CI) (−0.68, −0.38) vs. 0.54 g•kg−1•wk−1, CI (0.46, 0.63)) but Hbmass was still significantly elevated 4 weeks after administration compared to baseline (13.7±1.1 g•kg−1, p<0.001). Conclusion Running performance was improved following 4 weeks of rHuEpo and remained elevated 4 weeks after administration compared to baseline. These field performance effects coincided with rHuEpo-induced elevated O2 max and Hbmass.

An integrative ‘Omics’ solution to the detection of recombinant human erythropoietin and blood doping

Administration of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHumanEPO) improves sporting performance and hence is frequently subject to abuse by athletes, although rHumanEPO is prohibited by the WADA. Approaches to detect rHumanEPO doping have improved significantly in recent years but remain imperfect. A new transcriptomic-based longitudinal screening approach is being developed that has the potential to improve the analytical performance of current detection methods. In particular, studies are being funded by WADA to identify a ‘molecular signature’ of rHumanEPO doping and preliminary results are promising. In the first systematic study to be conducted, the expression of hundreds of genes were found to be altered by rHumanEPO with numerous gene transcripts being differentially expressed after the first injection and further transcripts profoundly upregulated during and subsequently downregulated up to 4 weeks postadministration of the drug; with the same transcriptomic pattern observed in all participants. The identification of a blood ‘molecular signature’ of rHumanEPO administration is the strongest evidence to date that gene biomarkers have the potential to substantially improve the analytical performance of current antidoping methods such as the Athlete Biological Passport for rHumanEPO detection. Given the early promise of transcriptomics, research using an ‘omics’-based approach involving genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics should be intensified in order to achieve improved detection of rHumanEPO and other doping substances and methods difficult to detect such a recombinant human growth hormone and blood transfusions.

Better economy in field running than on the treadmill: evidence from high-level distance runners

Given the ongoing interest in ways to improve the specificity of testing elite athletes in their natural environment, portable metabolic systems provide an opportunity to assess metabolic demand of exercise in sport-specific settings. Running economy (RE) and maximal oxygen uptake (V.O2max) were compared between track and treadmill (1% inclination) conditions in competitive level European distance runners who were fully habituated to treadmill running (n = 13). All runners performed an exercise test on running track and on treadmill. While V.O2max was similar on the track and on the treadmill (68.5 ± 5.3 vs. 71.4 ± 6.4 ml·kg−1·min−1, p = 0.105, respectively), superior RE was found on the track compared to the treadmill (215.4 ± 12.4 vs. 236.8 ± 18.0 O2 ml·kg−1·km−1, p < 0.001). RE on the track was strongly correlated with RE on the treadmill (r = 0.719, p = 0.006). The present findings indicate that high-level distance runners have significantly better RE but not V.O2max on the track compared to treadmill. This difference may be due to biomechanical adjustments. As RE is strongly correlated between the two conditions, it would be reasonable to assume that interventions affecting RE on the treadmill will also affect RE on the track.

Precision of the optimized carbon monoxide rebreathing method to determine total haemoglobin mass and blood volume

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different apparatuses, procedures and calculations on the precision of the optimized carbon monoxide method. Total haemoglobin mass was determined twice on consecutive days in 11 subjects using both venous and capillary blood samples. To estimate loss of carbon monoxide due to exhalation, carbon monoxide concentration was measured by two portable carbon monoxide analysers (Fluke CO-220, Fluke, Norwich, UK and Pac 7000 Carbon Monoxide, Draeger Safety, Northumberland, UK) and alveolar ventilation was specified using an automated metabolic gas analysis system (Cosmed Quark b2, Cosmed, Rome, Italy). Blood volume was derived from total haemoglobin mass using haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit obtained in both the supine and the seated position. Two different formulae to calculate blood volume were also compared. Precision was good for both total haemoglobin mass and blood volume measurements performed on consecutive days (typical error < 2%). Using Fluke CO-220 analyser, an estimated alveolar ventilation and capillary blood, total haemoglobin mass (917±136 g) was similar when compared to the Pac 7000 Draeger CO-analyser (904±137 g; mean bias –13 g with 95% limits of agreement –26 to + 1 g, P=0.76), specified alveolar ventilation (911±132 g, mean bias –6 g with 95% limits of agreement –18 g to + 6 g, P =0.87) and venous blood (917±134 g, mean bias 0 g with 95% limits of agreement –38 to + 38 g, P=0.99), respectively. Blood volume determination was also not significantly affected by the supine vs. seated position (6.7±0.8 l vs. 6.6±0.8 l, P=0.56) but can deviate by ~0.6 l (P=0.01) depending on the formula applied. Thus, the good precision of the assessment of total haemoglobin mass and blood volume using the optimized carbon monoxide rebreathing method is not significantly influenced by the make of CO analyser, method of obtaining alveolar ventilation, blood sampling method and subject position, but should for longitudinal monitoring purposes use the same formula.

Letter to the Editor (Comment on dissociation between running economy and running performance in elite Kenyan distance runners)

Abstract Santos-Concejero and Tucker argued in their letter to the editor that in our study the running economy in achieving superior performance was overlooked due to some methodological aspects. Having given the remarks of Santos-Concejero and Tucker appropriate consideration, in this letter to the editor, we argue that our paper does not downplay the influence of running economy on the determinants of the East African running phenomenon, but rather adds novel insights into the interaction between running economy, maximal oxygen uptake and performance.