Physiological determinants of speciality of elite middle- and long-distance runners

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine which physiological variables predict excellence in middle- and long-distance runners. Forty middle-distance runners (age 23 ± 4 years, body mass 67.2 ± 5.9 kg, stature 1.80 ± 0.05 m, [Vdot]O2max 65.9 ± 4.5 ml · kg−1 · min−1) and 32 long-distance runners (age 25 ± 4 years, body mass 59.8 ± 5.1 kg, stature 1.73 ± 0.06 m, [Vdot]O2max 71.6 ± 5.0 ml · kg−1 · min−1) competing at international standard performed an incremental running test to exhaustion. Expired gas analysis was performed breath-by-breath and maximum oxygen uptake ([Vdot]O2max) and two ventilatory thresholds (VT1 and VT2) were calculated. Long-distance runners presented a higher [Vdot]O2max than middle-distance runners when expressed relative to body mass (P < 0.001, d = 1.18, 95% CI [0.68, 1.68]). At the intensities corresponding to VT1 and VT2, long-distance runners showed higher values for [Vdot]O2 expressed relative to body mass or %[Vdot]O2max, speed and oxygen cost of running (P < 0.05). When oxygen uptake was adjusted for body mass, differences between groups were consistent. Logistic binary regression analysis showed that [Vdot]O2max (expressed as l · min−1 and ml · kg−1 · min−1), [Vdot]O2VT2 (expressed as ml · kg−0.94 · min−1), and speed at VT2 (v VT2) categorized long-distance runners. In addition, the multivariate model correctly classified 84.7% of the athletes. Thus, [Vdot]O2max, [Vdot]O2VT2, and v VT2 discriminate between elite middle-distance and long-distance runners.