Physiological correlates of middle-distance running performance

Summary

To compare the relative contributions of their functional capacities to performance in relation to sex, two groups of middle-distance runners (24 men and 14 women) were selected on the basis of performances over 1500-m and 3000-m running races. To be selected for the study, the average running velocity ($\bar v$) in relation to performances had to be superior to a percentage (90% for men and 88% for women) of the best French$\bar v$ achieved during the season by an athlete of the same sex. Maximal O₂ consumption ($\dot V{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}$ _max) and energy cost of running (C_R) were measured in the 2 months preceding the track season. This allowed us to calculate the maximal$\bar v$ that could be sustained under aerobic conditions, ν_a,max. A$\bar v$: ν_{a, max} ratio derived from 1500-m to 3000-m races was used to calculate the maximal duration of a competitive race for which$\bar v$ = ν_a,max (t νa,max) In both groups ν_a,max was correlated to$\bar v$. The relationships calculated for each distance were similar in both sexes. The C_R [0.179 (SD 0.010) ml · kg⁻¹ · m⁻¹ in the women versus 0.177 (SD 0.010) in the men] andt _νa,max [7.0 (SD 2.0) min versus 8.4 (SD 2.1)] also showed no difference. The relationships between$\dot V{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}$ _max and body mass (m _b) calculated in the men and the women were different. At the samem _b the women had a 10% lower C_R than the men; their lowerm _b thus resulted in an identical C_R. In both groups C_R and$\dot V{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}$ _max were strongly correlated (r=0.74 and 0.75 respectively,P<0.01), suggesting that a high level of$\dot V{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}$ _max could hardly be associated with a low C_R. These relationships were different in the two groups (P<0.05). At the same$\dot V{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}$ _max the men had a higher ν_a,inax than the women. Thus, the disparity in track performances between the two sexes could be attributed to$\dot V{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}$ _max and to the$\dot V{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}$ _max/C_R relationships.