title: Percent utilization of VO2 max at 5-km competition velocity does not determine time performance at 5 km among elite distance runners.
abstract: The present study investigated to what extent maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max) and fractional utilization (%VO2 max) in 5-km competition speed correlate with 5-km performance times among elite long distance runners. Eight elite long distance runners with 5-km performance times of 15.10 minutes ( +/- 32 seconds) were tested for VO2 max during an incremental protocol and for %VO2 max during an 8-minute treadmill test at the velocity representing their 5-km seasonal best performance time. There was no correlation between fractional utilization and 5-km performance. The study showed no significant difference between VO2 max obtained during an incremental VO2 max test and %VO2 max when running for 8 minutes at the runner's individual 5-km competition speed. The 5-km time was related to the runner's VO2 max even in a homogenous high-level performance group. In conclusion, the present study found no relationship between fractional utilization and 5-km performance time. Training aiming to increase %VO2 max may thus be of little or no importance in performance enhancement for competitions lasting up to approximately 20 minutes.
authors.affiliation: Telemark University College, Department of Sport and Outdoor Life Studies, Bø, Norway. eva.m.stoa@hit.no
authors.forename: Eva Maria
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Støa
authors.forename: Øyvind
authors.initials: Ø
authors.lastname: Støren
authors.forename: Eystein
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Enoksen
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ingjer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015308:Anaerobic Threshold; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D014142:Track and Field / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D019344:Lactic Acid