Int J Sports Med 1994; 15(7): 426-429
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1021082
Training and Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Relationship Between V̇O2max and the Aerobic Demand of Running in Elite Distance Runners

D. W. Morgan, J. T. Daniels
  • Department of Exercise and Sport Science, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27412
    Department of Physical Education, State University of New York at Cortland, Cortland, NY 13045
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
14 March 2008 (online)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between V̇O2max and the aerobic demand of running (V̇O2submax) in elite distance runners. On at least one occasion, V̇O2max and V̇O2submax values were obtained on 22 male subjects (X̄ age = 27±2yrs; X̄ height = 178.6±6.8cm; X̄ body mass = 64.1±5.6kg; X̄ 10km run time = 28.89±1.05 min) training for the 1994 Olympic Trials. Subjects performed 6-min, submaximal level-grade treadmill runs at four speeds (ranging from 4.47 to 5.50 m·s-1) to determine V̇O2submax. V̇O2 during each run was calculated by analyzing a 2-min gas sample collected during the last 2 min of running. These values were expressed relative to distance traveled and averaged to derive an overall V̇O2submax value. Shortly following these submaximal runs, V̇O2max was measured. When more than one set of V̇O2submax and V̇O2max data were available for a particular subject, the average of all tests was used. Results indicated that mean V̇O2max and V̇O2submax values were 75.8±3.4 ml·kg-1·min-1 and 184.6±8.6ml·kg·-1·km-1, respectively. Correlational analyses also revealed a significant relationship (r = 0.59; p < 0.01) between V̇O2max and V̇O2submax. These data suggest that among similarly-performing elite distance runners, a positive relationship exists between V̇O2max and the aerobic demand of running.