Abstract

A broad profile of national standard race-walkers was obtained. Subjects weretaller and had more body fat than competitive runners of comparable distanceas found in the literature. Pulmonary function, blood pressure and maximalheart rates were similar to normal sedentary values. The groups somatotypewas 2.5 : 3.4, low mesomorphy being reflected in inferior strength measures.Haematological status corresponded to the runners of Brotherhood et al. (1975)Predicted V02 max (X = 70 ml/kg/min) was not related to performance. Time toexhaustion on a treadmill test correlated with 20 km race time (R = -.94;p .001). Multiple regression equations derived to predict race performancefrom combinations of 4 to 6 personality traits were non-significant. Meanheart rate in typical training regimes was 167 beats/min for interval trainingat 13 km/h on thetrack and 134 beats/min over a 2.1 h road walk at 10.3 km/h.Physiological strain was greater in uphill than in level or downhill walking(P .001). Verf.-Referat