Running performance in middle-school runners.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the relationship of 3-km run time to indices of aerobic and anaerobic ability in 9 male runners (13.4+/-0.6 years, mean+/-SD).


METHODS
Anthropometric measurements were made, and an exercise test to determine running economy at 187 m x min(-1) and (.-)VO(2max) were assessed on a treadmill. On a separate day, 2 55-m sprints followed by a 3-km run were performed on a 200-m indoor track. Capillary blood samples were obtained from a finger tip immediately after the run to determine blood lactate level. Fractional utilization (%(.-)VO(2max) used during the 3-km run) was calculated. Correlations were used to examine the relationship between run time and the physiological measurements.


RESULTS
Mean values for (.-)VO(2), HR and RER at maximal exercise were 61.7+/-4.4 ml x kg(-1)xmin(-1), 198.9+/-6.7 b x min(-1), and 1.16+/-0.04, respectively. The average time to run 3 km was 13.27+/-0.97 min (90.1+/-7.2% of (.-)VO(2max)). Post-run blood lactate level was 8.3+/-3.2 mmol x L(-1) and was significantly related (r=-0.73, p=0.02) to 3-km time. Fractional utilization tended to be related (r=-0.56, p=0.12) to time.


CONCLUSIONS
In this age group the ability to run at a high percentage of (.-)VO(2max) and tolerate a high blood lactate appear to be important determinants of running performance in young male runners.
Malison
E R
ER
Human Performance Laboratory, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47306, USA.
Plank
D M
DM
Brown
J D
JD
Cheatham
C C
CC
Mahon
A D
AD
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005080:Exercise Test; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange / Q000502:physiology; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*
D019344:Lactic Acid