Abstrakt
To better characterise the physiological profile of young top long-distance runners, 56 elite female (mean age = 17.4±2.3 years, mass = 55.7±3.8 kg, height = 167.1±3.9 cm and fat = 8.9±2.4%) and 86 elite male (17.7±1.9; 64.2±6.3; 177,9±4.3; 6,7±1.9%) long-distance runners were evaluated on a treadmill with 5% inclination. Mean VO2max.kg-1 was 70.9±6.3 in boys and 61.7±4.9 ml.kg-1.min-1in girls.
Mean maximal velocity (Vmax) was 18.9±1.7 in males and 16.2±1.3 km.h-1 in females, while mean maximal blood lactate (Lamax) was 12.4±2.3 in males and 12.2±1.9 mmol.l-1 in females. Values at ventilatory threshold (VT) level in the elite male and female long-distance runners were, respektively : VO2.kg-1 = 59.8±5.4 and 51.7±4.3 ml.kg-1.min-1, 84.3±2.3% and 83.8±2.4% of VO2max.kg-1, speed of running at VT 15.9±2.2 and 13.3±1.7 km.h-1, 84.1±2.6 and 83.1±1.9% of maximal running velocity, 3.73±0.19 and 3.72±0.16 J.kg-1.m-1, for the coefficient of the energy cost of running c.
The suggested parameters for success in international long-distance running at 17 years of age appear to be as follows in males and females, respectively : VO2max.kg-1 > 74 and 66 ml.kg-1.min-1, vmax at 5% inclination > 20 and 17 km.h-1, LAmax > 12.5 and 12.2 mmol.l-1, running speed at VT 5% inclination > 16.5 and 13.7 km.h-1, %VO2max at VT > 83.5% in both sexes, and coefficient of energy cost of running < 3.73 and 3.71 J.kg-1.m-1. These data are not the sole predictor of success in competition, but may be useful in talent identification and selection for long-distance running.