Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the main bioenergetics and neuromuscular determinants of the time to exhaustion (Tlim) at the velocity corresponding to maximal oxygen uptake in recreational long-distance runners. Twenty runners performed the following tests on 5 different days: (a) maximal incremental treadmill test, (b) 2 submaximal tests to determine running economy and vertical stiffness, (c) exhaustive test to measured the Tlim, (d) maximum dynamic strength test, and (e) muscle power production test. Aerobic and anaerobic energy contributions during the Tlim test were also estimated. The stepwise multiple regression method selected 3 independent variables to explain Tlim variance. Total energy production explained 84.1% of the shared variance (p = 0.001), whereas peak oxygen uptake (V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak) measured during Tlim and lower limb muscle power ability accounted for the additional 10% of the shared variance (p = 0.014). These data suggest that the total energy production, V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak, and lower limb muscle power ability are the main physiological and neuromuscular determinants of Tlim in recreational long-distance runners. Verf.-Referat