title: Energetics of middle-distance running performances in male and female junior using track measurements.
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the energetic factors of middle-distance running performance in junior elite runners according to gender and by using measurements from on-track performances. Fifteen elite runners (8 males and 7 females) were investigated by means of an incremental test and an all-out run over 600 m performed with a 2-d interval. We calculated (1) the aerobic maximal power (E(r max aero), in W kg(-1)), including VO(2 max) and the delay of attainment of VO(2 max) in the 600 m run; (2) the anaerobic power (E(r max anaero)), i.e., the oxygen deficit (J kg(-1)) divided by the duration of the 600 m run. Despite the difference in race duration (87 +/- 3 vs. 102 +/- 2 s), the 600 m run was made at the same relative value of the velocity associated with VO(2 max) (VVO(2 )max) in males and females (121.6 +/- 7 vs. 120 +/- 8% VO(2 max), p = 0.7). E(r max aero) explained most of the variance in the performance (the personal best performed 8 weeks later) between genders: 65 and 79% over 800 m (T(800)) and 1,500 m (T(1,500)). For females, E(r max aero) explained most of the variance of T(1,500) (r(2) = 0.66), and E(r max anaero) improved this prediction (r(2) = 0.84). No energetic factor predicted the performance on 800 m run in males. In elite junior athletes, the energetic model with individual data measured over an all-out 600 m performed on a track, provides an explanation for most of the variance in middle-distance running performances between genders. The distinction between aerobic power and anaerobic power allowed an improvement in the prediction of middle-distance running performances.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Evry-Val d'Essonne, Evry, France. veronique.billat@wanadoo.fr
authors.forename: Véronique L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Billat
authors.forename: Pierre-Marie
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Lepretre
authors.forename: Anne-Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Heugas
authors.forename: Jean Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Koralsztein
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D012737:Sex Factors