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The purpose of this study was to examine the physiological characteristics of an elite centenarian cyclist who, at 101 yr old, established the 1-h cycling record for individuals ≥100 yr old (24.25 km) and to determine the physiological factors associated with his performance improvement 2 yr later at 103 yr old (26.92 km; +11%). Before each record, he performed an incremental test on a cycling ergometer. For 2 yr, he trained 5,000 km/yr with a polarized training that involved cycling 80% of mileage at "light" rate of perceived exertion (RPE) ≤12 and 20% at "hard" RPE ≥15 at a cadence between 50 and 70 rpm. His body weight and lean body mass did not change, while his maximal oxygen consumption (V̇o 2max ) increased (31-35 ml·kg -1 ·min -1 ; +13%). Peak power output increased from 90 to 125 W (+39%), mainly because of increasing the maximal pedaling frequency (69-90 rpm; +30%). Maximal heart rate did not change (134-137 beats/min) in contrast to the maximal ventilation (57-70 l/min, +23%), increasing with both the respiratory frequency (38-41 cycles/min; +8%) and the tidal volume (1.5-1.7 liters; +13%). Respiratory exchange ratio increased (1.03-1.14) to the same extent as tolerance to V̇co 2 In conclusion, it is possible to increase performance and V̇o 2max with polarized training focusing on a high pedaling cadence even after turning 100 yr old. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study shows, for the first time, that maximal oxygen consumption (+13%) and performance (+11%) can still be increased between 101 and 103 yr old with 2 yr of training and that a centenarian is able, at 103 yr old, to cover 26.9 km/h in 1 h., (Copyright © 2017 the American Physiological Society.)

Purpose: Despite the increasing popularity of marathon running, there are no data on the responses of stroke volume (SV) and cardiac output (CO) to exercise in this context. We sought to establish whether marathon performance is associated with the ability to sustain high fractional use of maximal SV and CO (i.e, cardiac endurance) and/or CO, per meter (i.e., cardiac cost)., Methods: We measured the SV, heart rate (HR), CO, and running speed of 14 recreational runners in an incremental, maximal laboratory test and then during a real marathon race (mean performance: 3 hr 30 min ± 45 min)., Results: Our data revealed that HR, SV and CO were all in a high but submaximal steady state during the marathon (87.0 ± 1.6%, 77.2 ± 2.6%, and 68.7 ± 2.8% of maximal values, respectively). Marathon performance was inversely correlated with an upward drift in the CO/speed ratio (mL of CO × m(-1)) (r = -0.65, P < 0.01) and positively correlated with the runner's ability to complete the race at a high percentage of the speed at maximal SV (r = 0.83, P < 0.0002)., Conclusion: Our results showed that marathon performance is inversely correlated with cardiac cost and positively correlated with cardiac endurance. The CO response could be a benchmark for race performance in recreational marathon runners.

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.

We hypothesized that a freely paced 10,000 m running race would induce a smaller physiological strain (heart rate and oxygen uptake) compared with one performed at the same average speed but with an imposed constant pace. Furthermore, we analyzed the scaling properties with a wavelet transform algorithm computed log2 (wavelet transform energy) vs. log2 (scale) to get slope alpha, which is the scaling exponent, a measure of the irregularity of a time series. HR was sampled beat by beat and V2O, breath by breath. The enforced constant pace run elicited a significantly higher mean VO2 value (53 +/- 4 vs. 48 +/- 5 ml kg(-1) min(-1), P < 0.001), HR (169 +/- 13 vs. 165 +/- 14 bpm, P < 0.01), and blood lactate concentration (6.6 +/- 0.9 vs. 7.5 +/- 1 mM, P < 0.001) than the freely paced run. HR and VO2 signals showed a scaling behavior, which means that the signals have a similar irregularity (a self-similarity) whatever the scale of analysis may be, in both constant and free-paced 10,000 m runs. The scaling exponent was not significantly different according to the type of run (free vs. constant, P > 0.05) and the signal (HR vs. VO2, P > 0.05). The higher metabolic cost of constant vs. free paced run did not affect the self-similarity of HR and VO2, in either run. The HR signal only kept its scaling behavior only with a distance run, no matter the type of run (free or constant). The results suggest that the larger degree of pace variation in freely paced races may be an intentionally chosen strategy designed to minimize the physiological strain during severe exercise and to prevent a premature termination of effort, even if the variability of the heart rate and VO2, are comparable in an enforced constant vs. a freely paced run and if HR keeps the same variability until the arrival.

The aim of this study was to determine the energetic factors of middle-distance running performance in junior elite runners according to gender and by using measurements from on-track performances. Fifteen elite runners (8 males and 7 females) were investigated by means of an incremental test and an all-out run over 600 m performed with a 2-d interval. We calculated (1) the aerobic maximal power (E(r max aero), in W kg(-1)), including VO(2 max) and the delay of attainment of VO(2 max) in the 600 m run; (2) the anaerobic power (E(r max anaero)), i.e., the oxygen deficit (J kg(-1)) divided by the duration of the 600 m run. Despite the difference in race duration (87 +/- 3 vs. 102 +/- 2 s), the 600 m run was made at the same relative value of the velocity associated with VO(2 max) (VVO(2 )max) in males and females (121.6 +/- 7 vs. 120 +/- 8% VO(2 max), p = 0.7). E(r max aero) explained most of the variance in the performance (the personal best performed 8 weeks later) between genders: 65 and 79% over 800 m (T(800)) and 1,500 m (T(1,500)). For females, E(r max aero) explained most of the variance of T(1,500) (r(2) = 0.66), and E(r max anaero) improved this prediction (r(2) = 0.84). No energetic factor predicted the performance on 800 m run in males. In elite junior athletes, the energetic model with individual data measured over an all-out 600 m performed on a track, provides an explanation for most of the variance in middle-distance running performances between genders. The distinction between aerobic power and anaerobic power allowed an improvement in the prediction of middle-distance running performances.

Training effects on time-to-exhaustion, substrate and blood lactate balances at the maximal lactate steady state velocity (MLSSv) were examined. Eleven male, veteran, long-distance runners performed three tests before and after 6 weeks of training at MLSSv: an incremental test to determine maximum O2 uptake (VO(2,max)) and the velocity at the lactate threshold (vLT), a sub-maximal test of two stages of 20 min at 95 and 105% of vLT separated by 40 min rest to determine the MLSSv and the corresponding lactate concentration (MLSSc) and a time-to-exhaustion run at MLSSv for which the substrate balance was calculated. Duration and distance run at MLSSv increased dramatically respectively from 44+/-10 to 63+/-12 min and from 10.4 to 15.7 km respectively (P<0.01). MLSSv increased significantly with training but the relative fraction of VO(2,max) remained the same (85.2+/-4.5 vs. 85.3+/-5.2%, P=0.93). MLSSc was unaffected by training as determined from the percentage of energy yielded by carbohydrates (80%) during the exhaustive run at MLSSv. These findings show that training at MLSS elicits small increases in MLSSv and VO(2,max), but enhances time-to-exhaustion (endurance) at MLSSv substantially (+50%). Training does not change the proportion of carbohydrate oxidized, which is the major substrate used during an exhaustive run at MLSS lasting 1 h.

The first purpose of this study was to assess the eventual training adaptations in the time to exhaustion at the same severe velocity occurring after severe interval-training programs in few- and well-trained subjects. In the event of such training adaptations, the second purpose was to identify the discriminant factors of performance improvement according to the initial training status. Seven few- and six well-trained subjects performed: firstly, an incremental test to determine the maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), the energy cost of running (ECR), the velocity associated with the achievement of VO2max (vVO2max) and the lactate threshold (LT expressed in VO2, km x h(-1), % vVO2max); secondly, an all-out test at the velocity corresponding to the midway between vLT and vVO2max (vdelta50) to determine the time to exhaustion (tmax); such tests were carried out before and after 4- and 8-week severe interval-training programs. In the few-trained subjects, all factors of performance (i.e., VO2max, ECR, vVO2max, LT expressed in VO2, km x h(-1), % vVO2max) and tmax at the pre-training vdelta50 were improved after training (+8, -8, +7, +9, +14, +6% and +79%, respectively); only the increase in vLT was related to the one in tmax (r = 0.714, p < or = 0.05, n = 7). In the well-trained subjects, only vVO2max was improved (+3%) due to the decrease in ECR (-3%), tmax at the pre-training vdelta50 did not vary after training; only the three subjects (over six) who improved their vLT (+0.5, +0.5, +0.8 km x h(-1), respectively) improved their tmax (+10, +24, +101%, respectively) (r = 0.895, p < or = 0.01, n = 6). So, whichever the initial training status, any training-induced adaptation in vLT appeared as a major factor of performance improvement especially at supra-LT velocities.

Purpose: This study compares the training characteristics and the physical profiles of top-class male and female Kenyan long-distance runners., Method: The subjects were 20 elite Kenyan runners: 13 men (10-km performance time: 10-km performance time of 28 min, 36 s +/- 18 s) and 7 women (32 min, 32 s +/- 65 s). The male runners were separated into high-speed training runners (HST: N = 6) and low-speed training runners (LST: N = 7) depending on whether they train at speeds equal or higher than those associated with the maximal oxygen uptake (vVO2max ). All but one woman were high-speed training runners (female HST: N = 6). Subjects performed an incremental test on a 400-m track to determine VO2max, vVO2max, and the velocity at the lactate threshold (vLT)., Results: Within each gender among the HST group, 10-km performance time was inversely correlated with vVO2max (rho = -0.86, P = 0.05, and rho = -0.95, P = 0.03, for men and women, respectively). HST male runners had a higher VO2max, a lower (but not significantly) fraction of vVO2max (FVO2max ) at the lactate threshold, and a higher energy cost of running (ECR). Among men, the weekly training distance at vVO2max explained 59% of the variance of vVO2max, and vVO2max explained 52% of the variance of 10-km performance time. Kenyan women had a high VO2max and FVO2max at vLT that was lower than their male HST counterparts. ECR was not significantly different between genders., Conclusion: The velocity at the VO2max is the main factor predicting the variance of the 10-km performance both in men and women, and high-intensity training contributes to this higher VO2max among men.

Eight unacclimatized long-distance runners performed, on a level treadmill, an incremental test to determine the maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and the minimal velocity eliciting VO2max (vVO2max) in normoxia (N) and acute moderate hypoxia (H) corresponding to an altitude of 2,400 m (PIO 2 of 109 mmHg). Afterwards, on separate days, they performed two all-out constant velocity runs at vO2 max in a random order (one in N and the other in H). The decrease in VO2max between N and H showed a great degree of variability amongst subjects as VO2max decreased by 8.9 +/- 4 ml x min(-1) x kg)(-1) in H vs. N conditions (-15.3 +/- 6.3 % with a range from -7.9 % to -23.8 %). This decrease in VO2max was proportional to the value of VO2max (VO2max vs. delta VO2max N-H, r = 0.75, p = 0.03). The time run at vVO2max was not affected by hypoxia (483 +/- 122 vs. 506 +/- 148 s, in N and H, respectively, p = 0.37). However, the greater the decrease in vVO2max during hypoxia, the greater the runners increased their time to exhaustion at vVO2max (vVO2max N-H vs. tlim @vVO2max N-H, r = -0.75, p = 0.03). In conclusion, this study showed that there was a positive association between the extent of decrease in vVO2max, and the increase in run time at vVO2max in hypoxia.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of 4 weeks of intense interval-training on the pulmonary off-transient oxygen uptake (V*O2) after running until exhaustion at the same absolute speed. Seven physical education students ran as follows in three maximal tests on a synthetic track (400 m) whilst breathing through a portable, telemetric metabolic analyser: firstly, in an incremental test which determined maximal oxygen uptake (V*O2max), the minimal speed associated with V*O2max (vV*O2max) and the speed at the lactate threshold ( v(LT)). Secondly, in two continuous severe intensity runs at 90% (R90) and 95% (R95) of vV*O2max. After training, the times to exhaustion ( t(lim)) at these two speeds (i.e. the time limits t(lim90) and t(lim95), respectively), were significantly increased at both speeds (+37% and +66% for t(lim90) and t(lim95), P=0.04 and 0.01, respectively) and v(LT) and vV*O2max were increased by 8% and 5%, respectively ( P<0.02). The time constants of the cardio-dynamic added to the metabolic phase (phases I+II) and of the slow phase (phase III) of oxygen kinetics in the on-transient phase decreased significantly after training ( P=0.05). However, the decrease in the time constants of oxygen kinetics in the on-transient phases II and III were not correlated with the improvement in performance (i.e. increase in t(lim)). After training the V*O2 off-transient phase was significantly faster [off-time constant (tau(off)) decreased significantly both after R90 and R95, P=0.03]. This decrease in tau(off) was correlated with the increase in t(lim90) ( r=0.795, P=0.03). The physiological factors best correlated with the increased performance after training were v(LT) for t(lim90) and vV*O2max for t(lim95).

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of endurance training on the relationship between mechanical stride descriptors (stride rate and stride rate variability) and the aerobic energy cost that would be decreased by training in an all-out supra-lactate threshold run. Six long distance runners (175 +/- 6 cm; 72 +/- 9 kg; 27 +/- 4 years) performed two identical track tests before and after 8 weeks of supra-lactate threshold training: an incremental test and a constant load test at 50% of the velocity difference between the lactate threshold and *VO2max (vdelta50). During the constant load test, aerobic energy cost (EC), stride rate (SR) and stride rate variability (SRV) were measured. The constant load tests were carried out before and after training at the same absolute intensity, in order to compare stride mechanical descriptors. Our results show that after eight weeks of intermittent running at vdelta50, the velocity associated with *VO2max (v *V02max) increases (p = 0.03) due to the decrease of running economy (RE, p = 0.02), and not due to an increase in *VO2max (p = 0.5). EC remained unchanged with training (p > 0.1), but SRV was significantly reduced (p < 0.03). No relationship was observed before and after training between the stride rate variability and the aerobic energetic cost (rs < 0.5; p > 0.05). This study indicates that because of the initial level of the runners, endurance training has not induced an increased *VO2max but a decrease of the SRV. Further studies have to be conducted with more subjects in order to elucidate the mechanisms underlying this decrease in SRV which is observed with training.

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an 8-wk severe interval training program on the parameters of oxygen uptake kinetics, such as the oxygen deficit and the slow component, and their potential consequences on the time until exhaustion in a severe run performed at the same absolute velocity before and after training. Six endurance-trained runners performed, on a 400-m synthetic track, an incremental test and an all-out test, at 93% of the velocity at maximal oxygen consumption, to assess the time until exhaustion. These tests were carried out before and after 8 wk of a severe interval training program, which was composed of two sessions of interval training at 93% of the velocity at maximal oxygen consumption and three recovery sessions of continuous training at 60--70% of the velocity at maximal oxygen consumption per week. Neither the oxygen deficit nor the slow component were correlated with the time until exhaustion (r = -0.300, P = 0.24, n = 18 vs. r = -0.420, P = 0.09, n = 18, respectively). After training, the oxygen deficit significantly decreased (P = 0.02), and the slow component did not change (P = 0.44). Only three subjects greatly improved their time until exhaustion (by 10, 24, and 101%). The changes of oxygen deficit were significantly correlated with the changes of time until exhaustion (r = -0.911, P = 0.01, n = 6). It was concluded that the decrease of oxygen deficit was a potential factor for the increase of time until exhaustion in a severe run performed after a specific endurance-training program.

Background: The purpose of this study was to verify, by track field tests, whether sub-elite runners (n=15) could (i) reach their VO2max while running at v50%delta, i.e. midway between the speed associated with lactate threshold (vLAT) and that associated with maximal aerobic power (vVO2max), and (ii) if an intermittent exercise provokes a maximal and/or supra maximal oxygen consumption longer than a continuous one., Methods: Within three days, subjects underwent a multistage incremental test during which their vVO2max and vLAT were determined; they then performed two additional testing sessions, where continuous and intermittent running exercises at v50%delta were performed up to exhaustion. Subject's gas exchange and heart rate were continuously recorded by means of a telemetric apparatus. Blood samples were taken from fingertip and analysed for blood lactate concentration., Results: In the continuous and the intermittent tests peak VO2 exceeded VO2max values, as determined during the incremental test. However in the intermittent exercise, peak VO2, time to exhaustion and time at VO2max reached significantly higher values, while blood lactate accumulation showed significantly lower values than in the continuous one., Conclusions: The v50%delta is sufficient to stimulate VO2max in both intermittent and continuous running. The intermittent exercise results better than the continuous one in increasing maximal aerobic power, allowing longer time at VO2max and obtaining higher peak VO2 with lower lactate accumulation.

The purpose of this study was to characterise the relationship between running velocity and the time for which a subject can run at maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), (tlimVO2max). Seven physical education students ran in an incremental test (3-min stages) to determine VO2max and the minimal velocity at which it was elicited (vVO2max). They then performed four all-out running tests on a 200-m indoor track every 2 days in random order. The mean times to exhaustion tlim at 90%, 100%, 120% and 140% vVO2max were 13 min 22 s (SD 4 min 30 s), 5 min 47 s (SD 1 min 50 s), 2 min 11 s (SD 38 s) and 1 min 12 s (SD 18 s), respectively. Five subjects did not reach VO2max in the 90% vVO2max test. All the subjects reached VO2max in the runs at 100% vVO2max. All the subjects, except one, reached VO2max in the runs at 120% vVO2max. Four subjects did not reach VO2max in the 140% vVO2max test. Time to achieve VO2max was always about 50% of the time to exhaustion irrespective of the intensity. The time to exhaustion-velocity relationship was better fitted by a 3- than by a 2-parameter critical power model for running at 90%, 100%, 120%, 140% vVO2max as determined in the previous incremental test. In conclusion, tlimVO2max depended on a balance between the time to attain VO2max and the time to exhaustion tlim. The time to reach VO2max decreased as velocity increased. The tlimVO2max was a bi-phasic function of velocity, with a peak at 100% vVO2max.

This article traces the study of interrelationships between power output, work done, velocity maintained or distance covered and the endurance time taken to achieve that objective. During the first half of the twentieth century, scientists examined world running records for distances from < 100 m to > 1000 km. Such examinations were empirical in nature, involving mainly graphical and crude curve-fitting techniques. These and later studies developed the use of distance/time or power/time models and attempted to use the parameters of these models to characterise the endurance capabilities of athletes. More recently, physiologists have proposed theoretical models based on the bioenergetic characteristics of humans (i.e. maximal power, maximal aerobic and anaerobic capacity and the control dynamics of the system). These models have become increasingly complex but they do not provide sound physiological and mathematical descriptions of the human bioenergetic system and its observed performance ability. Finally, we are able to propose new parameters that can be integrated into the modelling of the power/time relationship to explain the variability in endurance time limit at the same relative exercise power (e.g. 100% maximal oxygen uptake).

Purpose: Between inefficient training and overtraining, an appropriate training stimulus (in terms of intensity and duration) has to be determined in accordance with individual capacities. Interval training at the minimal velocity associated with VO2max (vVO2max) allows an athlete to run for as long as possible at VO2max. Nevertheless, we don't know the influence of a defined increase in training volume at vVO2max on aerobic performance, noradrenaline, and heart rate., Methods: Eight subjects performed 4 wk of normal training (NT) with one session per week at vVO2max, i.e., five repetitions run at 50% of the time limit at vVO2max, with recovery of the same duration at 60% vVO2max. They then performed 4 wk of overload training (OT) with three interval training sessions at vVO2max., Results: Normal training significantly improved their velocity associated with VO2max (20.5+/-0.7 vs 21.1+/-0.8 km x h(-1), P = 0.02). As a result of improved running economy (50.6+/-3.5 vs 47.5+/-2.4 mL x min(-1) x kg(-1), P = 0.02), VO2max was not significantly different (71.6+/-4.8 vs 72.7+/-4.8 mL x min(-1) x kg(-1)). Time to exhaustion at vVO2max was not significantly different (301+/-56 vs 283+/-41 s) as was performance (i.e., distance limit run at vVO2max: 2052.2+/-331 vs 1986.2+/-252.9 m). Heart rate at 14 km x h(-1) decreased significantly after NT (162+/-16 vs 155+/-18 bpm, P < 0.01). Lactate threshold remained the same after normal training (84.1+/-4.8% vVO2max). Overload training changed neither the performance nor the factors concerning performance. However, the submaximal heart rate measured at 14 km x h(-1) decreased after overload training (155+/-18 vs 150+/-15 bpm). The maximal heart rate was not significantly different after NT and OT (199+/-9.5, 198+/-11, 194+/-10.4, P = 0.1). Resting plasma norepinephrine (veinous blood sample measured by high pressure liquid chromatography), was unchanged (2.6 vs 2.4 nm x L(-1), P = 0.8). However, plasma norepinephrine measured at the end of the vVO2max test increased significantly (11.1 vs 26.0 nm x L(-1), P = 0.002)., Conclusion: Performance and aerobic factors associated with the performance were not altered by the 4 wk of intensive training at vVO2max despite the increase of plasma noradrenaline.

During prolonged and intense running exercises beyond the critical power level, a VO2 slow component elevates VO2 above predicted VO2-work rates calculated from exercise performed at intensities below the lactate threshold. In such cases, the actual VO2 value will increase over time until it reaches VO2max. The aims of the present study were to examine whether the VO2 slow component is a major determinant of VO2 over time when running at a speed beyond critical velocity, and whether the exhaustion latency period at such intensity correlates with the magnitude of the VO2 slow component. Fourteen highly trained long-distance runners performed four exhaustive runs, each separated by one week of light training. VO2 and the velocity at VO2max (vVO2max) were determined for each by a graded treadmill exercise. The critical velocity (86.1 +/- 1.5% vVO2max) of each runner was calculated from exhaustive treadmill runs at 90, 100 and 105% of vVO2max. During supra-critical velocity runs at 90% of vVO2max, there was no significant rise in VO2max (20.9 +/- 2.1 ml min-1 kg-1 between the third and last min of tlim 90), such that the runners reached a VO2 steady-state, but did not reach their vVO2max level over time (69.5 +/- 5.0 vs 74.9 +/- 3.0 ml min-1 kg-1). Thus, subjects' time to exhaustion at 90% of vVO2max was not correlated with the VO2max slow component (r = 0.11, P = 0.69), but significantly correlated with the lactate threshold (r = 0.54, P = 0.04) and the critical velocity (% vVO2max; r = 0.65, P = 0.01). In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that for highly trained long-distance runners performing exhaustive, supra-critical velocity runs at 90% of vVO2max, there was not a VO2 slow component tardily completing the rise of VO2. Instead, runners will maintain a VO2 steady-state below VO2max, such that the time to exhaustion at 90% of vVO2max for these runners is positively correlated with the critical velocity expressed as % of vVO2max.

The velocity associated with the achievement of VO2 max during an incremental treadmill test (v VO2 max) has been reported to be an indicator of performance in middle distance running events. Previous study has shown the reproducibility of the time to exhaustion (time limit: tlim) at v VO2 max performed by well-trained males in the same condition at one week of interval (Billat et al., 1994b). It is essential in studies involving tlim at v VO2 max that the v VO2 max be precisely determined, or else the measured tlim will be meaningless. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of the stage duration and velocity incrementation on the velocity at VO2 max and, consequently, on the two times to exhaustion (tlim) associated with the two v VO2 max generated by the two protocols. v VO2 max was determined in 15 trained male endurance athletes as the lowest speed at which VO2 max was attained in speed-incremented 0%-slope treadmill tests. For one test, increments were 1.0 km.h-1 and stages were 2 min in duration; for the other test, increments were 0.5 km.h-1 and stages were 1 min in duration. Results of paired means t-tests revealed no difference in v VO2 max obtained using the two protocols. v VO2 max was 20.7 +/- 1.0 km.h-1 with the 1.0 km.h-1 x 2 min protocol and 20.8 +/- 0.9 km.h-1 with the 0.5 km.h-1 x 1 min protocol. In addition, VO2, VCO2, VE, VE/VO2 and respiratory exchange ratio at the submaximal intensities that were common to both protocols (e.g., 17.0 km.h-1, 18.0 km.h-1, 19.0 km.h-1, 20.0 km.h-1) did not differ. Times to exhaustion at the two v VO2 max demonstrated a high degree of inter-individual variability (coefficients of variation were 35% and 45%) but did not differ (345 +/- 120 s versus 373 +/- 169 s). These results demonstrated that small changes in protocol have no significant impact on the value of v VO2 max and in consequence on tlim v VO2 max.

Previous studies had concluded that the treadmill velocity-endurance time hyperbolic relationship for runs could be accuratly approached with a regression at condition that bouts of exercise duration were included between 2 and 12 min. This regression allows to calculate the critical speed (CS) defined as the slope of the regression of work (distance) on time to exhaustion, the anaerobic running capacity (ARC) being the intercept of this line (Monod & Scherrer, 1965). The purpose of this investigation was to give practical indication concerning the choice of the velocities in reference to the maximal aerobic speed (MAS i.e. the minimum speed which elicits VO2max). Subjects were fourteen elite male long-distance runners (27 +/- 3 years old; VO2max = 74.9 +/- 2.9 ml.kg-1.min-1, MAS = 22.4 +/- 0.8 km.h-1, CS = 19.3 +/- 0.7 km.h-1 and 86.2 +/- 1.5% MAS). tlim 100 values (321 +/- 83 s) were negatively correlated with MAS (r = -0.538, p < 0.05) and with CS (km.h-1) (r = -0.644, p < 0.01). tlim 90 (1015 +/- 266 s) was positively correlated with CS when expressed in % MAS (r = 0.645, p < 0.01) and not when expressed in km.h-1 (r = -0.095, P > 0.05). tlim 105 (176 +/- 40 s) only was correlated with ARC (r = 0.526, p < 0.05). These data demonstrate that running time to exhaustion at 100 and 105% of MAS in a homogeneous elite male long-distance runners group is inversely related to MAS. Moreover, tlim 90 is positively correlated with CS (%MAS) but neither with tlim 100 and 105 nor with maximal aerobic speed. So from a practical point of view, the velocities chosen to determine the critical speed, would be closed to the maximal aerobic speed (time to exhaustion around 6 min), taking into account that the tlim 105 is correlated with the anaerobic capacity, whereas tlim 90 is correlated with the critical speed.

A recent paper (Billat et al., 1994a) has shown the reproducibility but also the great variability between subelite long-distance runners in their time to exhaustion at the velocity which elicits VO2max, called the maximal aerobic speed (MAS). The present study delved further into the reasons for this large difference between runners having the same VO2max. The question addressed was whether the exercise-induced hypoxemia (EIH) was more important for athletes having the longest time to exhaustion at 90 (Tlim 90), 100 (Tlim 100), or 105% (Tlim 105) of MAS. The study was conducted on 16 elite male runners. EIH was observed, that is, arterial oxyhemoglobin saturation and arterial partial pressure of oxygen dropped significantly after all the Tlim tests. However, EIH was only correlated with Tlim 90 (r = -0.757; -0.531, respectively).

The aim of this study was to measure running times to exhaustion (Tlim) on a treadmill at 100% of the minimum velocity which elicits VO2max (vVO2max in 38 elite male long-distance runners (VO2max = 71.4 +/- 5.5 ml.kg-1.min-1 and vVO2max = 21.8 +/- 1.2 km.h-1). The lactate threshold (LT) was defined as a starting point of accelerated lactate accumulation around 4 mM and was expressed in %VO2max. Tlim value was negatively correlated with vVO2max (r = -0.362, p < 0.05) and VO2max (r = -0.347, p < 0.05) but positively with LT (% vVO2max) (r = 0.378, p < 0.05). These data demonstrate that running time to exhaustion at vVO2max in a homogeneous group of elite male long-distance runners was inversely related to vVO2max and experimentally illustrates the model of Monod and Scherrer regarding the time limit-velocity relationship adapted from local exercise for running by Hughson et al. (1984).