Abstract:
The present investigation examined the
physiological parameters that contribute to 3-km running performance.
Following 2 familiarization sessions, 16 experienced
male triathletes (Vo,max = 55.7 :!: 4.9 ml-kgJ-min :",age = 31.3
:!: 11.7 years) performed a 3-km time trial (3kmTT) and were
assessed for selected physiological and anthropometrical characteristics.
Stepwise multiple regression and correlation analysis
was used to determine the variables that significantly related
to 3kmTT. The analysis revealed that 82.3% of the adjusted variance
in 3kmTT performance could be explained by peak treadmill
running velocity during a Vo,max test (Vmax) alone. The
addition of the running velocity at lactate threshold (LTv.,)and
peak lactate concentration ([BLa-]peak) to the prediction equation
allowed for 93.6% of the adjusted variance in 3kmTT to be predicted
(Y = -13.64 Vmax - 25.61 LTv•
'
- 5.40 [BLa-]peak+
1358.5). Correlation analysis revealed that Vmax (r = -0.91),
LTvel (r = -0.90), and Vo,max (r = -0.80) were significantly
related to running performance. These results show that Vmax
was the single best predictor of 3-km running performance in
experienced male triathletes and that both aerobic and anaerobic
abilities are related to improved 3kmTI performance. Since
the assessment of Vmax is relatively simple to implement, we
suggest that determining Vmax may be a practical method for
monitoring performance changes in short-term endurance running
events.
