Abstract

The relationship between maximum aerobic endurance, i.e. utilization of a highfraction of maximum oxygen uptake (V02 max), and middle distance running performance was investigated. V02 max and sustained utilization of 95 of V02 were measured in treadmill tests on 10 track athletes and compared against times for a 2-mile time trial. Expired air was collected and analysed in a paramagnetic oxygen analyser (Beckman F-3) and duplicate gas analyses were made by the micro-Scholander technique. Correlations between running time and a treadmill run at 95 of V02 max (r = -.38), and running time and a treadmillrun at 95 of V02 max (r=-.56 .05) were obtained. The results suggest that, with a homogeneous group of endurance athletes, V02 max ml/kg has little valueas a means of discriminating between runners on the basis of time. It is concluded that the ability to tolerate use of a large proportion ofthe V02 max for a period of time equivalent to a runners racing distance may be a better means of evaluating performance, and for predicting possible success inrunning competition. Verf.-Referat