A Physiological Comparison of Trained and Recreational Female Runners

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe differences a variety of physiological variables between elite and recreational female runners. METHODS: After signing an informed consent approved by the University of Central Missouri Institutional Review Board, 9 female runners were divided into 2 groups based on personal competitive objectives, elite (E) n=5, or recreational (REC) n=4. Elite runners were (21.6 yrs, 165.1 cm, 52.5 kg) and recreational runners (21.8 yrs, 162.8 cm, 55.2 kg). The E group consisted of collegiate and professional runners and the REC group consisted of competitive runners who run at least 30 min/d most days of the week. All participants performed a maximal treadmill test to determine VO2max. An Individual 3 min stage running protocol for each group was designed to elicit maximum oxygen uptake within 12-13 min. During the test, blood was analyzed using a Lactate Scout analyzer for lactate concentration at approximately 1.5 min. intervals. The participant's perceived exertion using the Borg ratings of perceived exertion scale (RPE) values was recorded at the time of each blood draw. RESULTS: Significance was set at p < 0.05. Means were compared between groups and no differences were noted for heart rate maximum (E =197 bpm, REC=193 bpm), lactate threshold (LT) expressed as a percent of VO2max (E=86%, REC= 86%), lactate concentration (mMol/L) at LT (E=4.4, REC=4.1), RPE at LT (E=16, REC=14), or VO2max (ml/kg/min) (E=57.5, REC=49.4). Differences were observed in body fat percent (E=15, REC=24) and heart rate at LT (TR=191bpm, REC=183bpm). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that of the variables observed in this study, the only physiological differences between elite and recreational female runners are body composition and heart rate at LT. However, a larger sample size may have revealed other statistically significant differences as trends in some of the variables approached the point of significance. Supported by Summer Scholars Program