Publications

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between anaerobic characteristics and 5-km-race performance in trained female cross-country runners (N = 13).

METHODS: The runners performed 50-m sprints and a 5-km time trial on an outdoor 400-m track and maximal anaerobic (MART) and aerobic running tests on a motorized treadmill. Anaerobic characteristics were determined by the mean velocity of the 50-m sprint (v50m) and the peak velocity in the MART (vMART). The aerobic characteristics were obtained during the aerobic treadmill test and included maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), running economy, and ventilatory threshold (VT).

RESULTS: Both the vMART (r = .69, P < .01) and VO2max (r = .80, P < .01) correlated with the mean velocity of the 5-km (v5km). A multiple-linear-regression analysis revealed that the combination of VO2max, vMART, and VT explained 81% (R2 = .81, P < .001) of the variation seen in the v5km. The vMART accounted for 31% of the total shared variance, while the combination of VO2max and VT explained the remaining 50%.

CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that among trained female runners who are relatively matched, anaerobic energy production can effectively discriminate the v5km and explain a significant amount of the variation seen in 5-km-race performance.

The purpose of this study was to assess the physiological characteristics of trained NCAA Division III male runners across a competitive season of cross-country. Eight male distance runners (age 20.6±1.4 y) were administered a battery of aerobic and anaerobic laboratory tests at the beginning and end of an 8-10 week racing season. Aerobic testing included maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), running economy (RE), ventilatory threshold (VT) and the onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA). Anaerobic testing consisted of the vertical jump (VJ) and the Wingate test. Final testing revealed anaerobic Wingate peak power significantly declined (11.8±1.1 to 10.7±1.0 W·kg-1) (P = 0.006), while no significant changes were seen in VJ or any aerobic parameters (P > 0.05). These results indicate that a competitive cross-country season of training and racing diminished anaerobic peak power and failed to elicit quantifiable aerobic adaptations in previously trained collegiate distance runners.