Modern Pentathlon Athletes Research Articles

Differential impact of heat and hypoxia on dynamic oxygen uptake and deoxyhemoglobin parameters during incremental exhaustive exercise.

Purpose: This study aims to explore the relationship between the dynamic changes in oxygen uptake () and deoxyhemoglobin (HHb) and peripheral fatigue in athletes during incremental exhaustive exercise under different environmental conditions, including high temperature and humidity environment, hypoxic environment, and normal conditions. Methods: 12 male modern pentathlon athletes were recruited and performed incremental exhaustive exercise in three different environments: normal condition (23°C, 45%RH, FiO2 = 21.0%, CON), high temperature and humidity environment (35°C, 70%RH, FiO2 = 21.0%, HOT), and hypoxic environment (23°C, 45%RH, FiO2 = 15.6%, HYP). Gas metabolism data of the athletes were collected, and muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2) and total hemoglobin content in the vastus lateralis muscles (VL) were measured to calculate the deoxyhemoglobin content. Linear and nonlinear function models were used to fit the characteristic parameters of and HHb changes. Results: The results showed that compared to the CON, , , and exercise time were decreased in the HOT and HYP (p < 0.05). and OUES were reduced in the HOT and HYP compared to the CON (p < 0.05). The Gas exchange threshold in the CON corresponded to higher than in the HYP and HOT (p < 0.05). was reduced in the HOT compared to the HYP (p < 0.05). ΔEHHb was higher in the HOT compared to the CON (p < 0.05). ΔEHHb-1 was increased in the HYP compared to the CON (p < 0.05). There was a negative correlation between ΔEHHb and corresponding in the HOT (r = -0.655, p < 0.05), and a negative correlation between ΔEHHb-1 and corresponding in the HYP (r = -0.606, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Incremental exhaustive exercise in hypoxic environment and high temperature and humidity environments inhibits gas exchange and oxygen supply to skeletal muscle tissue in athletes. For athletes, the accelerated deoxygenation response of skeletal muscles during incremental exhaustive exercise in high temperature and humidity environments, as well as the excessive deoxygenation response before BP of deoxyhemoglobin in hypoxic environment, may be contributing factors to peripheral fatigue under different environmental conditions.

The effect of antioxidants on lipid peroxidation in modern pentathlon athletes

Analysis of the data of modern literature on this problem, as well as the results of previous studies Stankevych L.G, Zemtsova I.I. (2014), showed that a significant acceleration of free radical oxidation processes, under various nonspecific effects on the body, which occurs in tissues and organs during physical activity, can lead to the oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids (SFA) of membrane lipids, which causes a change in the physicochemical properties of the membranes and leads to changes in the concentration of a number of organic and inorganic components in the cell, the release of enzymes, amino acids, and trace elements from the cell and subcellular formations, which can reduce sports performance and slow down recovery processes. One of the ways to solve this problem is to use antioxidants in muscle activity; data on their use as nonspecific means of stimulating the effectiveness of training activity are often scattered and contradictory and therefore require further clarification. Objective: To substantiate the possibility of regulating the adaptive reactions of modern pentathlon athletes in the pre-competition period by targeted correction of the state of the AO system with the help of antioxidants. Results: Under the influence of the AO-complex, a decrease in the content of MDA was found both at rest and after exercise, which indicates an increased reserve of the body's AO system. The study of the state of individual links of the AO system under the influence of the AO complex revealed a significant activity of SOD and CAT after exercise (10 km) in the experimental group compared to the control group. Conclusions. The conducted studies of the antioxidant status of the body of athletes are of great practical importance, since they allow us to recommend the use of agents with antioxidant properties for the implementation of anti-stress measures during competitions, to increase the antioxidant reserve of the body and to preserve the health of athletes.

Massage Therapy May Help Pain and Endurance Performance in Modern Pentathlon Athletes with Plantar Fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis (PF) is common among both sports and inactive individuals and several treatment approaches are available. There is no study that examines the effect of massage on PF in multi-discipline athletes such as modern pentathletes. This study evaluated the effectiveness of massage on modern pentathletes suffering from PF. Twelve male athletes between the ages of 18 and 25 who had a history of plantar fasciitis pain and participated in modern pentathlon sports took part in the study. Every athlete received a 15-minute deep friction massage (DFM) between 13:00 and 17:00 on each day of the week for 15 days. Before and after the massage, all athletes' pain and endurance levels were measured. For pain assessments, pressure pain algometry was utilised, and for endurance evaluations, the yo-yo intermittent endurance test was utilised. Athletes participating in the study before (3.5 (2-5)) and after (7 (6-8)) pain average measurements and before massage (830±60) and after (1498.33±52.88) endurance average measurements pretest-post It was determined that there was a statistically significant difference between test values. According to the study, massage, an alternative therapeutic strategy, can be used to address the PF issue. To increase the accuracy of the findings and to assert that massage is the definitive treatment for PF, it is proposed that other sample groups with PF diagnoses be included in the studies, or that the treatment time for a single sample group be extended.

QUALIDADES FÍSICAS DOS ATLETAS DE PENTATLO MODERNO NOS TREINOS EM ALTITUDE

ABSTRACT Introduction: Modern pentathlon has high requirements for the physical, psychological, and tactical training of athletes, and practicing the five items as a whole in physical training is a problem that needs to be solved. Organizing the load of each item and the overall load may be a circumventable problem using the altitude training technique. Objective: This study aimed to test and evaluate the effects of altitude training on modern pentathletes’ athletic performance and functional status. At the same time, we analyzed the method’s influence on the athletes’ physical quality. The ultimate goal of this experiment is to improve the science of modern pentathlete training. Methods: Six athletes from the modern pentathlon team were selected as research subjects. Changes in physiological indicators of the test subjects before and after altitude training were recorded. Mathematical statistics were used to analyze the collected data. Results: The athletes’ hemoglobin during high-altitude training was significantly higher than before training (P&lt;0.05). Other physiological indicators such as blood urea and high-density protein were not significantly different (P&gt;0.05). Modern pentathlon performance of athletes after altitude training was significantly improved (P&lt;0.05). Conclusion: Altitude training can improve the performance of modern pentathlon athletes. At the same time, this training method can also improve the athletes’ aerobic capacity. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

The effects of 8-week complex training on lower-limb strength and power of Chinese elite female modern pentathlon athletes.

Complex training (CT) is a combination training method that alternates between performing high-load resistance training (RT) and plyometric training within one single session. The study aimed to examine the effects of CT on lower-limb strength and power of elite female modern pentathlon athletes under the new modern pentathlon format and competition rules. Ten female participants (age: 23.55 ± 2.22 years, weight: 60.59 ± 3.87 kg, height: 169.44 ± 4.57 cm, and training experience: 6.90 ± 2.08 years) of the national modern pentathlon team completed 8 weeks of RT as followed by 8 weeks of CT, with 2 weeks of break. Then, the participants conducted 8 weeks of CT, which included RT combined with plyometric training (e.g., drop jump and continuous jump). All stages of training were designed by the linear strength training period theories, requiring participants to train twice for the first 4 weeks and three times for the second 4 weeks. The one-repetition maximum (1RM) of squat, isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP), counter-movement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), pre-stretch augmentation percentage (PSAP), and reaction strength index (RSI) were assessed before and after both RT and CT training. One-way repeated-measure ANOVA models revealed that the 1RM of squat was significantly improved (p < 0.001) after RT as compared to pre-RT. No significant improvement in IMTP (p = 0.055), CMJ (p = 0.194), SJ (p = 0.692), PSAP (p = 0.087), and RSI (p = 0.238) was not observed. After CT, 1RM of squat (p < 0.001), IMTP (p < 0.035), CMJ (p < 0.001), SJ (p < 0.008), RSI (p < 0.006) were significant improved as compared to pre-RT, post-RT and pre-CT, while significant improvements in PSAP were observed as compared to pre-RT (p = 0.003) and pre-CT (p = 0.027), but not to post-RT (p = 0.156). This pilot study showed the promise of CT following RT to improve lower-limb strength and power in elite female modern pentathlon athletes. The findings are worthwhile to be confirmed in future studies with larger sample size and randomized design.

Anthropometric and Physiological Characteristics of Collegiate Modern Pentathlon Athletes

This study aimed to analyze elite modern pentathlon athletes' anthropometric characteristics and present physical characteristics for better performance and investigate the characteristics of cardiorespiratory fitness and exercises to bone health. The subject of this study was 27 male modern pentathlon athletes. The dual-energy X-ray system absorptiometry was used in this study to measure the bone mineral density (BMD) and the bone mineral content (BMC) in the whole body. An automatic metabolic gas analyzer was used for the maximal graded exercise test. BMD differed significantly between the right and left arms and between the right and left parts of the trunk and the total body; however, no significant difference was found in BMD between the right and left legs (P<0.05). As for physiological variables, oxygen consumption (VO₂)/heart rate (HR) were estimated at 60.79 ml/kg/min, and 24.68 ml/bpm, respectively. Such pulmonary characteristics as expiratory minute volume (VE), and VE/oxygen (O₂) were 152.37 ml/min, and 38.21 ml/min, respectively. %VO₂max, and %HRmax at the anaerobic threshold were estimated at 82.61%, and 85.96%, respectively. At the results together, %body fat can serve as a useful predictor in that it is positively correlated with performance. This strongly indicated that the heart rate control for cardiorespiratory fitness can be a vital predictor of performance because a newly combined event (laser-run) is included.

Reliability of Symbolic Analysis of Heart Rate Variability and Its Changes During Sympathetic Stimulation in Elite Modern Pentathlon Athletes: A Pilot Study.

Background and PurposeMost studies on heart rate variability (HRV) in professional athletes concerned linear, time-, and frequency-domain indices, and there is lack of studies on non-linear parameters in this group. The study aimed to determine the inter-day reliability, and group-related and individual changes of short-term symbolic dynamics (SymDyn) measures during sympathetic nervous system activity (SNSa) stimulation among elite modern pentathletes.MethodsShort-term electrocardiographic recordings were performed in stable measurement conditions with a 7-day interval between tests. SNSa stimulation via isometric handgrip strength test was conducted on the second day of study. The occurrence rate of patterns without variations (0V), with one variation (1V), two like (2LV), and two unlike variations (2UV) obtained using three approaches (the Max–min, the σ, and the Equal-probability methods) were analyzed. Relative and absolute reliability were evaluated.ResultsAll SymDyn indices obtained using the Max–min method, 0V, and 2UV obtained using the σ method, 2UV obtained using the Equal-probability method presented acceptable inter-day reliability (the intraclass correlation coefficient between .91 and .99, Cohen’s d between −.08 and .10, the within-subject coefficient of variation between 4% and 22%). 2LV, 2UV, and 0V obtained using the Max–min and σ methods significantly decreased and increased, respectively, during SNSa stimulation—such changes were noted for all athletes. There was no significant association between differences in SymDyn parameters and respiratory rate in stable conditions and while comparing stable conditions and SNSa stimulation.ConclusionSymDyn indices may be used as reliable non-respiratory-associated parameters in laboratory settings to detect autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity modulations in elite endurance athletes. These findings provide a potential solution for addressing the confounding influence of respiration frequency on HRV-derived inferences of cardiac autonomic function. For this reason, SymDyn may prove to be preferable for field-based monitoring where measurements are unsupervised.

A Study on the Physiological Profiles and Performance Characteristics of Modern Pentathletes

Modern pentathlon is characterized by the possible direct effects on performance of physical characteristics, fitness level, and record management and therefore, obtaining information about the fitness level and records can be an important factor in improving performance among athletes. To examine the specificity of anthropometrics, physiology, and performance among modern pentathlon athletes, it is necessary to examine and analyze many factors for performance and few researchers have measured or analyzed modern pentathletes. This study aimed to analyze anthropometric data of elite modern pentathalon athletes through a literature review and determine the physical characteristics for better performance, examine cardiorespiratory functions directly connected with the performance in sport shooting-running. The literature review found that maximal heart rate (HRmax) ranged from 184.10 bpm to 197.89 bpm, maximal voluntary ventilation (VEmax) from 151.7 L/min to 163.05 L/min, and maximal oxygen uptake (VO_2max) from 54.4 ml/kg/min to 75.97 ml/kg/min. For the anaerobic threshold (AT) level, oxygen uptake (VO₂) ranged from 53.72 ml/kg/min (82.6% VO_2max) to 63.65 ml/kg/min (84.4% VO_2max), heart rate from 169 bpm to 182 bpm, and blood lactate concentration from 10.64 mM to 17.20 mM. Therefore, it is also necessary to develop an effective interval training method for improving anaerobic threshold, cardiorespiratory endurance, and lactate tolerance. Further research is needed to identify effective training for improving cardiorespiratory endurance, the AT level, and lactate tolerance rather than the physical characteristics.

근대5종 선수들의 자기종목에 대한 인식 연구

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to find out the awareness of modern pentathlon athletes. Methods: In order to achieve the purpose of the study, the researchers recruited eight modern pentathlon athletes who had been actively playing for at least six years and conducted interviews. Since athletes can recognize sports differently depending on their career and performance, divided them into groups A (college athletes) and B (national team) according to the research participants’ experience and conducted interview with focus groups. The interview took 80 minutes for Group A and 100 minutes for Group B. The interview was recorded using a portable electronic device. Results: The collected raw contents were analyzed using a qualitative research method, topic analysis technic, which resulted in five topics, and 11 elements. The results of this study are as follows. The topics were presented as the life and modern pentathlon, the charm of the modern pentathlon, and the dis-satisfaction with the modern pentathlon and the favorable reviews of others, the criticism of others. As a result, part of life, achievement, satisfaction, long game times, narrow paths, limited facilities, sufficient publicity, positive evaluation, and encouragement from people around them, low awareness, and neglect of the others were derived. Conclusion: In order to promote the development of modern pentathlon, active promotion of modern pentathlon, expansion of infrastructure and base and career support for athletes should be provided.

육상 트랙 주로 형태에 따른 근대5종 선수와 육상 선수의 하지 근전도 분석 사례 연구

The purpose of present study was to compare the specific lower limb muscle activity of modern pentathlon and track and field running athlete’s during running on a straight track and a curved track on the running track. For this way, we measured kinematic patterns the muscle activity of modern pentathlon and track and field running athletes to find out more efficient lower limb use patterns and to incorporate them into running training. Therefore, we investigated the leg muscle activity and foot pressure on in advanced 3 modern pentathlon players, 5 modern pentathlon players, and age- and sex-matched 3 track players. The results showed that the use of the vastus lateralis muscle is the most important to obtain the driving force of running on a straight track, and the core to move the trunk to the center point while reducing the use rate of the left vastus medialis and right rectus femoris on a curved track. The running curves of athletes exhibited a the highest muscle activity in all lower limb muscles except the quadriceps muscle, and the muscle activity of the quadriceps muscles was more stable than that of the modern pentathlon athletes (advanced) group. Future studies in the activity of the lower limb muscles by dividing the curve running phase in detail, be able to find out the basic data for efficient curve running. Also, it is thought that more effective basic data can be obtained by examining the muscle activity of the core muscles and examining the coordination between the use of the feet and the lower limb muscles through the foot pressure analysis.

A Pilot Study of the Reliability and Agreement of Heart Rate, Respiratory Rate and Short-Term Heart Rate Variability in Elite Modern Pentathlon Athletes.

Research on reliability of heart rate variability (HRV) parameters in athletes has received increasing attention. The aims of this study were to examine the inter-day reliability of short-term (5 min) and ultra-short-term (1 min) heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RespRate) and HRV parameters, agreement between short-term and ultra-short-term parameters, and association between differences in HR, RespRate and HRV parameters in elite modern pentathletes. Electrocardiographic recordings were performed in stable measurement conditions with a week interval between tests. Relative reliability was evaluated by intra-class correlation coefficients, absolute reliability was evaluated by within-subject coefficient of variation, and agreement was evaluated using Bland–Altman (BA) plot with limits of agreement and defined a priori maximum acceptable difference. Short-term HR, RespRate, log transformed (ln) root mean square of successive normal-to-normal interval differences (lnRMSSD), ln high frequency (lnHF) and SD2/SD1 HRV indices and ultra-short-term HR, RespRate and lnRMSSD presented acceptable, satisfactory inter-day reliability. Although there were no significant differences between short-term and ultra-short-term HR, RespRate and lnRMSSD, no parameter showed acceptable differences with BA plots. Differences in time-domain and non-linear HRV parameters were more correlated with differences in HR than with differences in RespRate. Inverse results were observed for frequency-domain parameters. Short-term HR, RespRate, lnRMSSD, lnHF, and SD2/SD1 and ultra-short-term HR, RespRate and lnRMSSD could be used as reliable parameters in endurance athletes. However, practitioners should interpret changes in HRV parameters with regard to concomitant differences in HR and RespRate and caution should be taken before considering 5 min and 1 min parameters as interchangeable.

근대5종 선수의 지도자-선수 관계와 자기효능감 및 운동성과의 관계

근대5종 선수의 지도자-선수 관계와 자기효능감 및 운동성과의 관계

Influence of Running Phases on the Postural Balance of Modern Pentathlon Athletes in a Laser Run Event

Background: The Laser Run combined event is part of the modern pentathlon, consisting of successive shooting and running phases. The main factor hindering accurate and fast shooting is the increasing fatigue caused by running effort. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the running phases on the postural balance in the shooting position of pentathletes in a Laser Run event. Methods: 25 modern pentathletes (18.6 ± 1.7 years), members of the Polish Association of Modern Pentathlon, completed a Laser Run event. During each shooting series, a Zebris dynamometric platform recorded the displacement of the centre of pressure (COP). Results: Significant changes in the average velocity of the COP (F = 3.43; p = 0.0223) and the width of the ellipse of the COP shifts area WoE (F = 3.30; p = 0.0259) between the first and the second shooting series were observed. The average velocity of the COP in series I was 72.6 m/s and increased to 84.3 m/s in series II. In turn, the average width of the ellipse of the COP in series I reached 29.1 mm and in series II, 34.1 mm. Conclusions: The fatigue caused by the running phases in the Laser Run affects the stability of the shooting position of pentathletes. Disturbances that occur after the first running phase are maintained at the same level during the subsequent shooting series. The fatigue level does not affect the magnitude of the disturbances of the postural balance in the shooting position.

The relationship between multiscale dynamics in tremulous motion of upper limb when aiming and aiming performance in different physical load conditions

ABSTRACTThe dynamics of tremulous motion in the upper limb is complex. We aimed to explore the relationship between the complexity of upper limb tremor when aiming and aiming performance and the influences of physical load on the two outcomes. Fifteen modern pentathlon athletes were recruited and completed two 1000-m treadmill running and three 60-s standard aiming task trials: one at baseline and each of the other two immediately after each running. The time series of light spot trace on the target was measured using a high-speed camera. The complexity of this time series was quantified using multiscale entropy. The effective aiming rate was used to assess the aiming performance. We observed that participants with lower tremor complexity had lower effective aiming rate across three physical load conditions (r2 > 0.38, p < 0.01). Physical load decreased both tremor complexity (F = 4.8, p = 0.01) and effective aiming rate (F = 13.5, p < 0.0001), but no difference was observed after 1000-m running compared to that after 2000-m running. The per cent change of tremor complexity associated with the change of effective aiming rate (r2 = 0.55, p < 0.0001). This pilot study demonstrates that multiscale complexity of tremulous motion in the upper limb when aiming may serve as a novel marker to assess the physiologic system functionality when aiming.

A study of quiet eye's phenomenon in the shooting section of "laser run" of modern pentathlon.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of the Quiet eye (QE) phenomenon on performances during the shooting section of "Laser Run" of Modern Pentathlon, in two samples of athletes (novices and experts). The "Laser Run" consists of running and shooting activities. The study involved 18 experienced athletes of the Italian National Team of Modern Pentathlon (i.e., "elite" group) and 18 young and nonexpert athletes of a local Pentathlon club (i.e., "novice" group). Participants performed, in ecological conditions, five trials of four series of shootings (as it occurs in the real competitions), for a total of 20 series. During the shooting trials, athletes wore a mobile Eye Tracking System to record eye movements (saccades, blinks, and fixations). Key measures of the study were QE parameters (QE Duration [QED], Relative QED [RQED], and QE Onset), as well as the performance (accuracy and time to perform the event). The results revealed that both groups of athletes had a longer QED, RQED, and an earlier onset during their best shots than during the worse ones. Furthermore, differences between the groups showed that elite athletes had an earlier onset and a shorter QED than the novice group of athletes. These results provide insightful information about different cognitive and perceptual processes involved in Modern Pentathlon's athletes' performances at both the elite and non-elite level.

Effects of Carbohydrate, Caffeine, and Guarana on Cognitive Performance, Perceived Exertion, and Shooting Performance in High-Level Athletes.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of ingesting carbohydrate (CHO), caffeine (CAF), and a guarana complex (GUAc) during a running exercise on cognitive performance, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and shooting performance in high-level modern pentathlon athletes. Methods: A total of 10 athletes completed 4 counterbalanced sessions within a 2-wk period, corresponding to ingestions of CHO (30g), GUAc (300mg), CAF (200mg), or placebo. The exercise involved a 40-min run on a treadmill at a steady speed, previously determined as a "somewhat hard" exercise (RPE 13). Shooting and cognitive performance (Simon task) were assessed in 3 phases: before exercise and ingestion, before exercise and after half ingestion, and after exercise and full ingestion. Drinks were consumed 40 min (250mL) and 5 min (125mL) prior to exercise and after 20 min of running (125mL). RPE was assessed at 10-min intervals during exercise. Results: There was an interaction between drink and exercise on mean reaction time (P = .01, ) and a drink effect on RPE (P = .01, ). CHO, CAF, and GUAc enhanced the speed of information processing after exercise (P = .003, P = .004, and P = .04, respectively), but only CAF and GUAc decreased RPE (P = .002 and P = .02, respectively). Conclusion: The results highlight a beneficial effect of nutritional supplements on information processing and RPE. This finding is particularly interesting as decision-making processes are crucial in the performance of many sports.

An Analysis of the Performance Determinants of Modern Pentathlon Athletes in Laser-run, A Newly-Combined Event in Modern Pentathlon

An Analysis of the Performance Determinants of Modern Pentathlon Athletes in Laser-run, A Newly-Combined Event in Modern Pentathlon

Comparison of New Combined Event Performance by Performance Level in Modern Pentathlon Athletes

Comparison of New Combined Event Performance by Performance Level in Modern Pentathlon Athletes

The effects of specific drills on the flip turns of freestyle swimmers based on a kinesiology analysis.

This research aimed to define the key factors in freestyle flip turns via a kinesiology analysis to diagnose swimmers. Hence, specially designed drills were created to improve swimmers’ flip-turn skills and assess the effects of training. Nine Chinese national modern pentathlon athletes ranging in age from 20 to 26 years with an average of 10 years of training experience were tested and trained in this study. The Kistler Performance Analysis System for Swimming was used for the pre- and post-test analyses. A kinesiology analysis of the data from the pre-test was used for the diagnosis and specific drills were adopted for 10 weeks, 3 times per week before the post-test. The comparison of the pre- and post-test performances was used to assess the effects of training. After 10 weeks of specific drill training for flip turns, participants’ turning skills significantly improved. Speed in approaching, somersaulting, pushing-off and gliding all increased. The angles of the knees and hips as well as the force applied improved, which contributed to swimmers’ increased speed. Since the skills needed for a flip turn are complex and not easily diagnosed via observation alone, this kinesiology analysis will make diagnosis objective and easy.

Aerobic Capacity Characteristic of Lithuanian Endurance Sports Athletes

Aerobic capacity indices of the athletes, practicing aerobic endurance sports, are rather high. Athletes, practicing aerobic endurance sports, are able to demonstrate great maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and ability to keep it for a long time. Scientific evidence proves a close correlation between VO2max and sport results in endurance sports, as well as between VO2max and aerobic reactions. Thus, VO2max serves as a direct and complex index to reflect maximal possibilities of blood respiratory systems functional capacities and muscles ability to use it. VO2max is under influence by many factors: maximal lungs ventilation, blood composition, values of hemoglobin and iron in blood, elasticity of blood vessels, capillary density of skeletal muscles, number of mitochondria in muscles and their activeness, as well as amount of oxidation ferments and their activeness. Dynamics of VO2max is determined by genetic factors and the content of training session. Establishment of individual VO2max values is important in investigation process of athletes due to information it provides on the level of aerobic capacity and endurance. Overview of literature sources highlights a rather wide scientific concern on aerobic capacity exploration in various endurance sports athletes. Nevertheless, research data on athletes’ aerobic capacity longitudinal investigation, as well as on VO2max change in Lithuanian athletes during the last 25 years are lacking. The aim of the research was to summarize the level of maximal oxygen consumption, which serves as the main index of aerobic capacity for Lithuanian elite endurance sports athletes, and to compare it with characteristic to different sports model indices, provided in literature sources. 22 male and 14 female road cyclists, 20 male and 9 female skiers, 17 male and 11 female rowers, 15 male and 8 female biathlon athletes, 14 male kayak and canoe rowers, 8 male pentathlon athletes, 9 male racewalkers and 2 male swimmers participated in the research. Indices of the athletes’ height and weight were recorded. Aerobic capacity of the athletes used to be established by gas analyzer Oxycon Mobile (Germany). Mathematical statistics was applied for data processing. Arithmetical mean, standard deviation and mean error were calculated. VO2max determines ability of an athlete to maintain speed and to perform great aerobic work. Degree of VO2max increase during training session depends on personal training condition level, as well as on intensity and duration of exercises. According to the data of our longitudinal researches, the greatest correspondence to elite athletes’ VO2max model characteristics, among the other endurance sports representatives, is demonstrated by Lithuanian male modern pentathlon athletes, female cyclists (including four World champions), and female rowers. Close approach to model characteristics in charge was demonstrated by male cyclists and kayak rowers, while skiers, biathlon athletes, long and short distance runners were the furthest from model VO2max level. Overview of the results, demonstrated by the most capacious Lithuanian endurance sports athletes, shows that maximal oxygen consumption of the athletes – numerous Olympic Games, World and European Championships and other international events winners – is great and matches the requirements for elite athletes. Keywords: aerobic endurance, athletes, maximal oxygen consumption. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15823/sm.2016.21