Extrapolating Metabolic Savings in Running: Implications for Performance Predictions.

Shalaya Kipp,Wouter Hoogkamer,Rodger Kram

doi:10.3389/fphys.2019.00079

Shalaya Kipp, Wouter Hoogkamer + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2019.00079

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Abstract

Training, footwear, nutrition, and racing strategies (i.e., drafting) have all been shown to reduce the metabolic cost of distance running (i.e., improve running economy). However, how these improvements in running economy (RE) quantitatively translate into faster running performance is less established. Here, we quantify how metabolic savings translate into faster running performance, considering both the inherent rate of oxygen uptake-velocity relation and the additional cost of overcoming air resistance when running overground. We collate and compare five existing equations for oxygen uptake-velocity relations across wide velocity ranges. Because the oxygen uptake vs. velocity relation is non-linear, for velocities slower than ∼3 m/s, the predicted percent improvement in velocity is slightly greater than the percent improvement in RE. For velocities faster than ∼3 m/s, the predicted percent improvement in velocity is less than the percent improvements in RE. At 5.5 m/s, i.e., world-class marathon pace, the predicted percent improvement in velocity is ∼2/3rds of the percent improvement in RE. For example, at 2:04 marathon pace, a 3% improvement in RE translates to a 1.97% faster velocity or 2:01:36, almost exactly equal to the recently set world record.

Highlights

The remarkable 2:00:25 exhibition marathon in Monza, Italy in 2017 and the current world record time of 2:01:39 set in Berlin in 2018 by Eliud Kipchoge raise an intriguing question: can we predict improvements in endurance running performance based on improvements in running economy (RE)? Together with lactate threshold and maximal oxygen uptake (V O2max), RE is one of the three primary physiological determinants of performance (Daniels, 1985; Joyner, 1991; Foster and Lucia, 2007)
We demonstrated that laboratory-measured percent changes in RE translate to similar percent changes in distance running performance (Hoogkamer et al, 2016)
To extrapolate how changes in RE will impact performance, we focus on the gross V O2-velocity relation

Summary

INTRODUCTION

The remarkable 2:00:25 exhibition marathon in Monza, Italy in 2017 and the current world record time of 2:01:39 set in Berlin in 2018 by Eliud Kipchoge raise an intriguing question: can we predict improvements in endurance running performance based on improvements in running economy (RE)? Together with lactate threshold and maximal oxygen uptake (V O2max), RE is one of the three primary physiological determinants of performance (Daniels, 1985; Joyner, 1991; Foster and Lucia, 2007). We have used these insights and models to translate metabolic savings reported in the literature (Hoogkamer et al, 2017) and measured in our laboratory (Hoogkamer et al, 2018a) into predicted improvements in elite marathon running performances. More recent treadmill running studies have indicated that both the gross V O2-velocity relation and the metabolic rate (Watts or kcal/min)-velocity relations are better described as inherently curvilinear, especially over wide ranges in velocity (Steudel-Numbers and Wall-Scheffler, 2009; Batliner et al, 2018; Black et al, 2018; Kipp et al, 2018). Léger and Mercier (1984) added Pugh’s cubic air resistance term to the linear equation they had derived from a regression on data from 10 separate treadmill studies over various moderate velocity ranges. V O2 increases steeply with running velocity and as a result at 5.5 m/s, a 10% improvement in RE should allow for running only 6.7% faster

RUNNING VELOCITY AND POTENTIAL IMPROVEMENTS IN VELOCITY

IMPLICATIONS FOR RUNNING PERFORMANCE

Findings

POSSIBLE CONFOUNDING FACTORS