Int J Sports Med 2008; 29(6): 494-499
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-989230
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

V·O2 Responses to Running Speeds Above V·O2max

R. Duffield1 , D. Bishop2
  • 1School of Human Movement, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, Australia
  • 2School of Human Movement and Exercise Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision May 22, 2007

Publication Date:
14 November 2007 (online)

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Abstract

This study compared V·O2, heart rate (HR) and electromyographic (iEMG) responses to speeds above the velocity associated with V·O2max (v-V·O2max). Eight male, middle-distance runners performed a graded exercise test to determine V·O2max and v-V·O2max and runs to fatigue at 100 % and 110 % v-V·O2max. Breath-by-breath V·O2 and HR were continuously recorded; lactate [La-] measured pre- and post-run and iEMG measures of rectus femoris (RF) and vastus lateralis were recorded during the first and last 20 s of each run. Analysis indicated longer time to fatigue in the 100 % v-V·O2max run with no differences between conditions for V·O2 or HR amplitudes or post-run [La-] (p > 0.05). There were significantly faster tau values (p < 0.05) in the 110 % condition in V·O2 and HR. No significant correlations were observed between V·O2 or HR tau values and time to fatigue. RF iEMG was significantly larger in 110 % compared to 100 % run in the first 20 s (p < 0.05). While no association between treadmill performance and V·O2 response was evident, faster running speeds resulted in faster V·O2 and HR responses, with no difference in amplitude or % V·O2max attained. This may potentially be as a result of an increased muscle fibre recruitment stimulus during the faster running velocity resulting in faster cardiodynamic responses.

References

Dr. PhD Rob Duffield

Charles Sturt University
School of Human Movement

Panorama Ave

2795 Bathurst

Australia

Phone: + 61 2 63 38 49 39

Fax: + 61 2 63 38 40 65

Email: rduffield@csu.edu.au