Abstract
BACKGROUND: Maximal aerobic speed (MAS) is a useful parameter to assess aerobic capacity and estimate training intensity in middle- and long-distance runners. However, whether middle- and long-distance runners reach different levels of MAS compared to other endurance athletes with similar V̇O(2max) has not been previously studied. Therefore, we aimed to compare V̇O(2max), MAS and spatiotemporal parameters between sub-elite middle- and long-distance runners (n = 6) and endurance non-runners (n = 6). In addition, we aimed to compare the maximal blood lactate concentration [BLa] experienced by participants after conducting these tests. METHODS: Telemetric portable respiratory gas analysis, contact and flight time, and stride length and rate were measured using a 5-m contact platform during an incremental test at a synthetic athletics track. V̇O(2), heart rate, respiratory quotient values in any 15 s average period during the test were measured. [BLa] was analyzed after the test . Running spatiotemporal parameters were recorded at the last two steps of each 400 m lap. A coefficient of variation (%CV) was calculated for each spatiotemporal variable in each participant from 8 km h(-1) onwards. RESULTS: Whereas runners reported faster MAS (21.0 vs. 18.2 km h(-1)) than non-runners (p = 0.0001, ES = 3.0), no differences were found for V̇O(2max) and maximum blood lactate concentration during the running tests (p > 0.05). While significant increases in flight time and stride length and frequency (p < 0.001, 0.52 ≤ ηp2 ≤ 0.8) were observed throughout the tests, decreases in contact time (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.9 ) were reported. Runners displayed a greater %CV (p = 0.015) in stride length than non-runners. We conclude that middle- and long-distance runners can achieve a faster MAS compared to non-running endurance athletes despite exhibiting a similar V̇O(2max). This superior performance may be associated to a greater mechanical efficiency. Overall, runners displayed a greater ability to modify stride length to achieve fast speeds, which may be related to a more mechanically efficient pattern of spatiotemporal parameters than non-runners.