Abstract

Maximum aerobic power (V02 max), maximum anaerobic power (AP max), submaximal exercise heart rate (HRsub), and performance times for distances of 15m, 600m, 3.22km, and 10km were evaluated in 12 male runners prior to and 7 weeks of a running programme at each individuals maximum steady-state (MSS) pace. MSS pace, a running speed at which blood lactate is believed to equal 2.2 mmol/l, was calculated from weekly 3.22 km runs utilising the regression equation of LaFontaine et al (1981). During the training period, the mean MSS pace increased 11.3 from 3.76 to 4.19 m/s. Body weight and maximal exercise heart rate were unaffected by MSS training. However, MSS training was associated with increases (p<0.05) in absolute V02 max (8.9) and V02 max relative to body weight (8.1), absolute AP max (3.7) and AP max, relative to body weight (4.3); decreases in resting HR (5.4) and HRsub (6.9); and decreases in performance times for runs of 15m (1.8), 600m (4.4), 3,22km (9.6), and 10km (12.1). MSS paces determined prior to the pre- and post-training 10km races were significantly related to the pre-training (r=0.98) and post-training 10km (r=0.95) performance paces. Pre-training MSS pace, maximal aerobic po wer, and performance times for the 3.22km and 10km distances were highly related to improvements in MSS pace and performance times for the 3.22km and 10km runs. Our findings indicate that training at MSS pace is an effective method to increase maximal aerobic and anaerobic power, and decrease performance times for short-and middle-distance running events. Pre-training running performance may predict the magnitude of improvement due to MSS pace training. Verf.-Referat