Running economy and distance running performance of highly trained athletes

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Abstract
The relationship between running economy and distance running performance was studied in highly trained and experienced distance runners of comparable ability. O2 uptake (.ovrhdot.VO2) during steady-state and maximal aerobic power (.ovrhdot.VO2 max) were measured during treadmill running using the open-circuit method. Distance running performance was determined in a nationally prominent 10 km race; all subjects (12 males) placed among the top 19 finishers. The subjects averaged 32.1 min on the 10 km run, 71.7 ml/kg per min for .ovrhdot.VO2 max, and 44.7, 50.3 and 55.9 mg/kg per min for steady-state .ovrhdot.VO2 at 3 running paces (241, 268 and 295 m/min). The relationship between .ovrhdot.VO2 max and distance running performance was r = -0.12 (P = 0.35). The relationships between steady-state .ovrhdot.VO2 at 241, 268 and 295 m/min and 10 km time were r = 0.83, 0.82 and 0.79 (P < 0.01), respectively. Within finishers 65.4% of the variation observed in race performance time on the 10 km run could be explained by variation in running economy. Among highly trained and experienced runners of comparable ability and similar .ovrhdot.VO2 max, running economy accounts for a large and significant amount of the variation observed in performance on a 10 km race.

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