Abstract
ABSTRACTObjective To describe and identify the importance of different indicators of the aerobic and anaerobic fitness of male ultra-trail runners according to their level of participation (regional or national).Methods Forty-four male ultra-trail runners were assessed (36.5±7.2 years). They were classified as regional (n=25) and national (n=19). Wingate test was used to assess the anaerobic pathway. A progressive incremental running test was performed and ventilatory thresholds registered, in parallel to heart rate and lactate concentration at the end of the protocol. Comparison between groups was performed using independent samples t-test.Results No significant differences were found between outputs derived from Wingate test. For aerobic fitness, while examining absolute values, differences were uniquely significant for the second ventilatory threshold (ultra-trail regional runners: 3.78±0.32L.min-1; ultra-trail national runners: 4.03±0.40L.min-1 p<0.05). Meantime, when aerobic fitness was expressed per unit of body mass, differences were significant for the second ventilatory threshold (ultra-trail regional runners: 50.75±6.23mL.kg-1.min-1; ultra-trail national runners: 57.88±4.64mL.kg-1.min-1 p<0.05) and also maximum volume of oxygen (ultra-trail regional runners: 57.33±7.66mL.kg-1.min-1; ultra-trail national runners: 63.39±4.26mL.kg-1.min-1 p<0.05).Conclusion This study emphasized the importance of expressing physiological variables derived from running protocols per unit of body mass. Also, the second ventilatory threshold appears to be the best and the only aerobic fitness variable to distinguish between trail runners according to competitive level. Maximal oxygen uptake seems of relative interest to distinguish between long distance runners according to competitive level.
Highlights
Trail running is generally performed on hiking trails with steep gradients, both uphill and downhill
Maximum heart rate (HR), respiratory exchange ratio (RER) and blood lactate levels did not differ significantly between groups, in spite of mean differences of moderate magnitude in lactate levels, with lower values detected in the ultra trail runners (UTRs)-N group
The second ventilator threshold (VT2), named respiratory compensation point, is defined as the second breakpoint in ventilatory response due to acidosis caused by lactate production.[17,18] Differences in absolute oxygen consumption between runners covering middle or long distances have been reported.[19]. Findings of this study suggest differences between UTRs competing at different levels may reflect adaptability and can be in part explained by the fact that UTRs-N tend to be have access to more appropriate training programs, including bouts of acceleration and deceleration during the run, and are more often tested for morphological and physiological variables
Summary
Trail running is generally performed on hiking trails with steep gradients, both uphill and downhill. Trail running includes a wide range of distances, from short to ultra long (100km, respectively)(1) and has attracted a growing number of participants in recent years.[2] In spite of the increasing popularity of the sport, related research is still scarce. Aerobic fitness seems an obvious determinant of performance in middle and long distance runners,(3) even though maximal oxygen uptake is thought to be of minor importance in downhill sections.[4] Variations in terrain characteristics in trial running competitions, gradient variations, may place extraordinary demands on other metabolic pathways, such as the anaerobic. Percentage of maximum heart rate (HR) and oxygen uptake are subject to wide intra- and interindividual variability in competitive sports activities. Data related to exercise intensity variation are vital for competitive training and nutrition strategies
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