800-m Performance Research Articles

Stroke-Specific Swimming Critical Speed Testing: Balancing Feasibility and Scientific Rigour.

This study aimed to assess the reliability of a two-distance critical speed protocol in the specialist strokes of national-level swimmers and understand the practical feasibility of extending the protocol to increase its validity. Thirty-two national-level swimmers (butterfly n = 7; backstroke n = 8; breaststroke n = 7; front crawl n = 10) swum three 200-m and three 400-m performance trials over a three-week period. Critical speed and supra-critical speed distance capacity were computed from the linear modelling of the distance-time relationship. Swimmers were subsequently asked whether they felt they could or would want to complete an 800-m trial as part of a three-distance critical speed protocol to enhance validity. Both 200-m and 400-m performances (coefficient of variation of < 2%) and derived critical speed (typical error of ≤ 0.04 m·s-1; coefficient of variation of < 4%) were reliable for all strokes, while supra-critical speed distance capacity (typical error from 4 to 9 m; coefficient of variation from 13 to 45%) was not reliable. Response rates to the follow-up questions were 100%. Few butterfly swimmers said they felt they could complete an 800-m performance trial (39%), with more positive responses for breaststroke (71%), backstroke (100%), and front crawl swimmers (100%). Butterfly swimmers were significantly less likely to say they could or would want to complete an 800-m trial than backstroke and front crawl swimmers (p < 0.05). Including a third distance 800-m trial to increase critical speed validity would not be acceptable to butterfly swimmers, would be challenging to breaststroke swimmers, but would be acceptable to front crawl and backstroke swimmers.

Longitudinal analysis of the 800-m performances of the world's best female long-distance pool swimmer: A case study using critical speed and D′

The purposes of this study were to ascertain how physiological adaptations, as reflected by critical speed and distance above critical speed ( D′), impact the competitive performance of a world-class female long-distance swimmer; and to determine whether a model including the expenditure and recovery of D′ could be used to understand pacing in swimming. From August 2011 to August 2021, we retrieved 800-m performance and splits data from races in which she improved her time, and also the 400-m and 200-m freestyle performances from the same competitions. Performances from the 200, 400, and 800 m were used to estimate critical speed and D′. The 800-m splits were used to calculate the usage of D′ during the race and to investigate pacing. The differential W′ balance model ( W′BAL) was used to calculate its analogous in swimming, the D′BAL. Critical speed increased from 1.516 to 1.616 ms−1 while D′ fluctuated ∼15 m from 2011 to 2016. D′BAL approached 0 m at the end of the races and may be useful to understand pacing. Critical speed and 800-m speed presented a nearly perfect correlation (0.99, p &lt; 0.001) suggesting that critical speed is of paramount importance for long-distance swimming performance. While critical speed is clearly important, D′ did not directly correlate with 800-m performance. This result suggests that the work capacity above critical speed is not a primary determinant of 800-m swimming performance. However, we cannot say it is unimportant, as minor improvements represent an opportunity to set world records. Outstanding long-distance performance seems to depend more on aerobic fitness than on the capacity to work above critical speed.

The 180/20 intermittent athletic test: A new intermittent track test to assess the maximal aerobic speed in middle-distance runners

Objective: The training of middle-distance runners is based on intermittent exercises. However, no study has proposed intermittent test to assess endurance performance for middle-distance athletes. The aims of the present study are 1) to develop a new specific testing for middle-distance runners entitled the 180/20 intermittent athletic test and to examine the validity of this test as compared to a standard continuous test 2) to check whether the maximal aerobic speed obtained from the 180/20 intermittent athletic test is related to the 800-m performance.&#x0D; Methods: Nineteen male middle-distance runners (age: 21.3 ± 2.2 years, height: 1.75 ± 0.04 m, and body mass: 68.8 ± 3.8 kg) performed in a random order three field-tests: a standard test, the 180/20 intermittent athletic test and 800-m time-trial. The new test consisted of repeated 180m distance runs interspersed with 20m of active recovery performed until exhaustion. The speed is increased by 0.5 km.h-1 every 200 m.&#x0D; Results: The results of this study showed the maximal aerobic speed achieved during the new test was significantly correlated to the maximal aerobic speed determined from a standard test (r = 0.82, p &lt; 0.05) with low agreement limits (-1.69–1.48 km.h-1) without systematic bias (-0.10 km.h-1). The maximal aerobic speed in new test was better correlated to the 800-m running performance than the maximal aerobic speed achieved during a standard test (r = -0.78 and r = -0.66, respectively).&#x0D; Conclusions: The 180/20 intermittent athletic test is a valid test for scheduling intermittent training sessions in middle-distance runners.

Anaerobic Speed Reserve: A Key Component of Elite Male 800-m Running.

In recent years (2011-2016), men's 800-m championship running performances have required greater speed than previous eras (2000-2009). The "anaerobic speed reserve" (ASR) may be a key differentiator of this performance, but profiles of elite 800-m runners and their relationship to performance time have yet to be determined. The ASR-determined as the difference between maximal sprint speed (MSS) and predicted maximal aerobic speed (MAS)-of 19 elite 800-and 1500-m runners was assessed using 50-m sprint and 1500-m race performance times. Profiles of 3 athlete subgroups were examined using cluster analysis and the speed reserve ratio (SRR), defined as MSS/MAS. For the same MAS, MSS and ASR showed very large negative (both r = -.74 ± .30, ±90% confidence limits; very likely) relationships with 800-m performance time. In contrast, for the same MSS, ASR and MAS had small negative relationships (both r = -.16 ± .54; possibly) with 800-m performance. ASR, 800-m personal best, and SRR best defined the 3 subgroups along a continuum of 800-m runners, with SRR values as follows: 400-800m ≥ 1.58, 800m ≤ 1.57 to ≥ 1.48, and 800-1500m ≤ 1.47 to ≥ 1.36. MSS had the strongest relationship with 800-m performance, whereby for the same MSS, MAS and ASR showed only small relationships to differences in 800-m time. Furthermore, the findings support the coaching observation of three 800-m subgroups, with the SRR potentially representing a useful and practical tool for identifying an athlete's 800-m profile. Future investigations should consider the SRR framework and its application for individualized training approaches in this event.

Evolução da performance de meio-fundistas Brasileiros da formação ao pico de rendimento: um estudo piloto

The aim of this study was to evaluate performance progression in Brazilian middle-distance runners based on the progression of their sports results from early training to peak performance. The sample consisted of the 10 best performance times (800 m and 1500 m) achieved by male runners aged 15 to 19 years in national rankings between 2001 and 2010. The 800-m performance times estimated with the models were 119.14±1.79 s at 15 years of age; 114.36±1.07 s at 16 years; 113.25±1.81 s at 17 years; 110.71±1.60 s at 18 years, and 109.73±1.17 s at 19 years. The prediction of 1500-m performance was 253.89±4.84 s at 15 years of age; 243.40±1.67 s at 16 years; 238.53±1.55 s at 17 years; 232.49±1.59 s at 18 years, and 230.48±2.28 s at 19 years. It is concluded that Brazilian male middle-distance runners achieve their best performance at 22.69±0.42 years of age in the 800-m event and at 22.29±0.34 years in the 1500-m event. These values are within the lower limit described in the literature as optimal age.

Effect of Pseudoephedrine on 800-m-Run Times of Female Collegiate Track Athletes

Pseudoephedrine (PSE) is an over-the-counter decongestant that might have ergogenic effects. The World Anti-Doping Agency has prohibited large doses (>150 μg/mL) of PSE, while the National College Athletic Association (NCAA) does not include it on their banned-substance list. This study examined the effect of body-weight dosing of PSE on 800-m-run times of NCAA female runners. Fifteen NCAA female track athletes volunteered to participate in the randomized, double-blind, crossover design. Participants were given 2.5 mg/kg PSE or placebo in trials separated by a week. Ninety minutes postingestion, participants completed an 800-m individual time trial on an indoor track. Finishing time was recorded with an automated video timing device. Heart rate and anxiety state scores were recorded immediately after each trial. Fourteen runners completed both trials, and 1 was an outlier: N=13. Despite the dose being well above normal therapeutic levels (144±17 mg), there was no significant difference (P=.92) in 800-m times between PSE (2:39.447±9.584) and placebo (2:39.372±9.636) trials, in postexercise heart rate (P=.635; PSE=177.9±14.5 beats/min, placebo=178.4±18.5 beats/min), or in anxiety-state levels (P=.650; PSE=38.4±11.6, placebo=38.1±8.8). A 2.5-mg/kg dose of PSE had no effect on 800-m performance for female NCAA runners. More research is needed to determine if PSE should be a specified banned substance.

Differential modeling of anaerobic and aerobic metabolism in the 800-m and 1,500-m run

This study examined the hypothesis that running speed over 800- and 1,500-m races is regulated by the prevailing anaerobic (oxygen independent) store (ANS) at each instant of the race up until the all-out phase of the race over the last several meters. Therefore, we hypothesized that the anaerobic power that allows running above the speed at maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) is regulated by ANS, and as a consequence the time limit at the anaerobic power (tlim PAN=ANS/PAN) is constant until the final sprint. Eight 800-m and seven 1,500-m male runners performed an incremental test to measure VO2max and the minimal velocity associated with the attainment of VO2max (vVO2max), referred to as maximal aerobic power, and ran the 800-m or 1,500-m race with the intent of achieving the lowest time possible. Anaerobic power (PAN) was measured as the difference between total power and aerobic power, and instantaneous ANS as the difference between end-race and instantaneous accumulated oxygen deficits. In 800 m and 1,500 m, tlim PAN was constant during the first 70% of race time in both races. Furthermore, the 1,500-m performance was significantly correlated with tlim PAN during this period (r=-0.92, P<0.01), but the 800-m performance was not (r=-0.05, P=0.89), although it was correlated with the end-race oxygen deficit (r=-0.70, P=0.05). In conclusion, this study shows that in middle-distance races over both 800 m and 1,500 m, the speed variations during the first 70% of the race time serve to maintain constant the time to exhaustion at the instantaneous anaerobic power. This observation is consistent with the hypothesis that at any instant running speed is controlled by the ANS remaining.

Effect Of Prior Warm-up On Oxygen Uptake Kinetics During An 800-m Performance Trial

PURPOSE: This study investigated the effect of two different warm-up regimes on pulmonary V[dot]O2 kinetics during an 800-m running time trial. METHODS: Eleven well-trained middle distance runners undertook a laboratory-based progressive exercise test to determine V[dot]O2max, and on two further occasions, an indoor 800-m performance trial. Performance trials were preceded by a 10-min self-paced jog and standardised mobility drills followed by either 6×50m 'strides' (control, CON) or 2×50m strides and a continuous high-intensity 200m run (WU). All warm-up runs were performed at race-pace. Blood lactate was measured before and after the warm-up and performance trial. Oxygen uptake was measured breath-by-breath during all performance trials and subsequently modelled using non-linear regression techniques. The perceived race 'readiness' of the subjects was assessed by questionnaire. RESULTS: Prior to the performance trial, baseline blood [lactate] was (mean ± SD) 1.8 ± 0.3 mM greater after WU compared to CON control (P<0.001). Participants reported significantly greater readiness in WU vs. CON, (P<0.05). The mean response time for the V[dot]O2 response was no different between groups (27.4 ± 6.4 vs 28.0 ± 7.1 s, P = 0.73). Peak V[dot]O2 attained (WU, 4214 ± 848 vs CON, 3913 ± 633 ml.min-1; P=0.156) and total O2 consumed (WU, 119.1 ± 18.2 vs CON, 108.7 ± 27.8 ml.min-1.kg-1, P=0.11) showed tendencies towards a greater response for WU. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that a longer duration warm-up promotes readiness for time trial performance. Whilst the mean response time was unaffected by warm-up method, the data suggest a greater contribution from oxidative processes during the performance trial following WU, as indicated by the ∼ 8% greater peak V[dot]O2 attained and total O2 used.

IS THE TWO SPEED TEST AN USEFULL TOOL TO EVALUATE THE ANAEROBIC CAPACITY OF AN 800m RUNNER?

1238 Glycolysis is considered to be a determinant energy source for an 800m runner. The two speed test is a commonly used field test for the evaluation of the anaerobic metabolism in middle distance running. In fact, the maximal blood lactate concentration (MBLC) achieved in this test is considered to be an important indicator of the athlete's anaerobic capacity. The purpose of this research was to determine the relation between MBLC reached in the two speed test using a specific distance and the MBLC attained in an 800m competition. Ten male junior middle-distance runners performed a field test using as distances 2×300m and running intensities of 80-85% and >95% of maximal speed, respectively. The time of recovery between repeats was 25min. Following each step blood samples were taken from the ear lobe in the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th and 12th minute of recovery. MBLC was also determined (within the same week) after a competition of 800m, using similar procedures. Only the MBLC reached in the maximal 300m of the two speed test (2nd step) was considered for data analysis. The blood lactate concentration was obtained using a YSI-1500L Sport. Linear regression model was used. The average value concerning the 800m performance was 2′02″77 (1′54″31-2′08′52). The mean value for the MBLC achieved in the two speed test was 14.49±1.61 mmol/l, corresponding to a maximal speed of 7.65±0.36m/s. The mean value for the MBLC achieved in the 800m competition was 15.21±1.59mmol/l, corresponding to a maximal speed of 6.54±0.26m/s. Regression results (y=2.5+0.9x) were highly significant (F=29.3, p=0.005), with an r2=80% and a standard error of estimate=0.8mmol/l. In conclusion, the MBLC determined in the two speed test using 2×300m as running distance, seems to provide a reasonable approach concerning the MBLC achieved in an 800m competition and therefore might be used as an important tool to evaluate the athlete's anaerobic capacity in training conditions.