Distance capacity above critical speed and speed reserves: are they related?

The aim of this study was to correlate the anaerobic speed reserve (ASR) and the maximal speed reserve (MSR) with the distance capacity above the critical speed (D´), derived from four different mathematical models, in a group of endurance runners. Twenty-two runners performed an incremental treadmill test to exhaustion, an all-out 40-m sprint and three time-trials (800-, 1500- and 3000-m) on an outdoor running track to determine ASR, MSR and D´. D´ was determined using linear distance-time (D´linear d-t), linear velocity-time (D´linear 1/t), 2-parameter hyperbolic (D´2-hyp) and 3-parameter hyperbolic (D´3-hyp) models. A high correlation was observed between ASR and D´linear 1/t (r = 0.77; p < 0.001), while moderate correlations were observed between ASR and D´linear d-t (r = 0.69; p < 0.001) and D´2-hyp (r = 0.63; p < 0.003). The ASR was not significantly correlated with D´3-hyp. High correlations were detected between MSR and D´linear 1/t, D´linear d-t and D´2-hyp (r = 0.74 to 0.76; p < 0.001) and a moderate correlation was detected between MSR and D´3-hyp (r = 0.58; p = 0.01). These moderate- to high correlations to D´, especially when derived from models using 2 parameters, suggests the existence of similar mechanisms underpinning the variables.

Publication History

Received: 31 January 2025

Accepted after revision: 25 April 2025

Accepted Manuscript online:
25 April 2025