Lactate Threshold And VO2Max As Predictors Of Running Performance

Allie Young

School Name

South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics

Grade Level

12th Grade

Presentation Topic

Physiology and Health

Presentation Type

Mentored

Mentor

Mentor: Scott Murr, Department of Health Sciences, Furman University

Abstract

Lactate threshold, maximal oxygen consumption VO2MAX, and running economy are considered the three best predictors of running performance. While in the past runners typically only have thought of VO2max when measuring their performances, recently, lactate threshold is becoming just as popular. This study sought to measure if lactate threshold data was a reliable predictor of running performance in the 1 mile and 3.1 mile (5K) times. Nineteen subjects performed a laboratory based progressive treadmill VO2max test, and a 1 and 3.1-mile race in random order over a period of three weeks. Field tests were used to gather maximal effort race performance times, which we compared with both lactate threshold data and VO2MAX data. The results show that lactate threshold correlates more closely with both the one-mile and 5K race performances that did VO2MAX data.

Start Date

4-11-2015 9:15 AM

End Date

4-11-2015 9:30 AM

COinS
 
Apr 11th, 9:15 AM Apr 11th, 9:30 AM

Lactate Threshold And VO2Max As Predictors Of Running Performance

Lactate threshold, maximal oxygen consumption VO2MAX, and running economy are considered the three best predictors of running performance. While in the past runners typically only have thought of VO2max when measuring their performances, recently, lactate threshold is becoming just as popular. This study sought to measure if lactate threshold data was a reliable predictor of running performance in the 1 mile and 3.1 mile (5K) times. Nineteen subjects performed a laboratory based progressive treadmill VO2max test, and a 1 and 3.1-mile race in random order over a period of three weeks. Field tests were used to gather maximal effort race performance times, which we compared with both lactate threshold data and VO2MAX data. The results show that lactate threshold correlates more closely with both the one-mile and 5K race performances that did VO2MAX data.