title: Aerobic exercise adaptations in trained adolescent runners following a season of cross-country training.
abstract: Adaptations in aerobic exercise responses as well as the relationship between aerobic exercise responses and running performance were examined in a group of previously trained adolescent runners (n = 9; 15.9 +/- 1.0 years) over the course of a competitive cross-country season. Running economy (RE), submaximal blood lactate concentration [BLa] and VO2max were assessed before and immediately after the season. Five-km race time improved (P < 0.05) from 18.68 +/- 1.10 min at the beginning of the season to 18.16 +/- 1.11 min at the end of the season. Significant increases were observed in peak VO2 (61.6 +/- 3.5 to 65.3 +/- 2.9 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)) and graded exercise test time (11.32 +/- 1.56 to 12.22 +/- 0.79 min). There was a tendency for RE (P = 0.051) to worsen slightly and for [BLa] (P = 0. 057) to decline as a result of training. At the beginning of the season submaximal [BLa] at 14 km x hr(-1) (r = 0.86) and graded exercise test time (r = -0.87) were significantly related to 5-km time. At the end of the season, RE (r = 0.78) and [BLa] (r = 0.77) at 14 km x hr(-1) and graded exercise test time (r = -0.69) were significantly related to race time. In this well-trained group of runners, further training during the cross-country season increased peak VO2 and improved race time. Submaximal [BLa] and graded exercise test time appear to be the most robust predictors of performance, while RE became a significant predictor of race time at the end of the season.
authors.affiliation: Human Performance Laboratory, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana 47306, USA.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Plank
authors.forename: Molly J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hipp
authors.forename: Anthony D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Mahon
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D019344:Lactic Acid