Quantification of aerobic determinants of performance in post-pubertal adolescent middle-distance runners

Richard C Blagrove; Glyn Howatson; Charles R Pedlar; Philip R Hayes

doi:10.1007/s00421-019-04175-w

Quantification of aerobic determinants of performance in post-pubertal adolescent middle-distance runners

Eur J Appl Physiol. 2019 Aug;119(8):1865-1874. doi: 10.1007/s00421-019-04175-w. Epub 2019 Jun 17.

Authors

Richard C Blagrove¹, Glyn Howatson^{2

3}, Charles R Pedlar^{4

5

6}, Philip R Hayes²

Affiliations

¹ School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Epinal Way, Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK. R.C.Blagrove@lboro.ac.uk.
² Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Northumbria University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK.
³ Water Research Group, Northwest University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
⁴ School of Sport, Health and Applied Science, St Mary's University, Twickenham, UK.
⁵ Orreco Ltd, National University of Ireland Business Innovation Centre, Galway, Ireland.
⁶ Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College London, London, UK.

Abstract

Purpose: The use of oxygen cost ([Formula: see text]_aero) parameters to predict endurance performance has recently been criticized. Instead, it is suggested that aerobic energy cost ([Formula: see text]) provides greater validity; however, a comparison of these quantification methods has not previously been made.

Methods: Fifty-six male (n = 34) and female (n = 22) competitive adolescent (17 ± 1 years) middle-distance runners participated in a sub-maximal and maximal incremental treadmill test. Running economy (RE) was measured at the speed corresponding to lactate turnpoint, and the three speeds prior. Maximal oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]O₂max), speed at [Formula: see text]O₂max and fraction of [Formula: see text]O₂max utilized across a range of intensities, and speeds from 0.8, 1.5 and 3 km races were also quantified. RE and fractional utilization were calculated in units of [Formula: see text]_aero and [Formula: see text]_aero.

Results: Multiple linear regression models demonstrated no discernible difference in the predictive capability of RE, fractional utilization and [Formula: see text]O₂max when expressed as [Formula: see text]_aero or [Formula: see text]_aero in both sexes. When plotted as a function of running speed, [Formula: see text]_aero displayed a stepwise decrease (F = 11.59, p < 0.001) whereas [Formula: see text]_aero exhibited a curvilinear response (F = 4.74, p = 0.015). Differences were also evident in the slopes plotted for %[Formula: see text]O₂max and %[Formula: see text]_aeromax against running speed (F = 5.38, p = 0.021).

Conclusions: Quantifying aerobic determinants of performance in units of [Formula: see text]_aero provides no greater validity compared to [Formula: see text]_aero-based measurement. Although both [Formula: see text]_aero and [Formula: see text]_aero are sensitive to changes in speed, [Formula: see text]_aero provides the more valid reflection of the underlying metabolic cost of running. Physiologists should also be aware of the potential differences between expression of aerobic running intensity based upon %[Formula: see text]O₂max compared to %[Formula: see text]_aeromax_.

Keywords: Fractional utilization; Maximal oxygen uptake; Running economy; Youth.

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Athletic Performance / physiology
Athletic Performance / standards*
Energy Metabolism*
Female
Humans
Male
Oxygen Consumption*
Physical Conditioning, Human / methods
Physical Conditioning, Human / standards*
Running / physiology*