Physiological characteristics of middle-distance runners of different competitive levels - doi: 10.4025/reveducfis.v22i1.9428

Abstract

The aims of this study were: to compare indexes of the power and aerobic capacity, kinetics of O2 uptake and muscle power in two groups of middle-distance runners; to verify if the predicting performance is dependent of training level. Twenty-one male runners, nine classified as trained (group 1 – G1) and twelve moderately trained (group 2 - G2) performed the following tests: 1) time trial run in 1500-m; 2) maximal incremental test for determination of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), anaerobic threshold and running velocity at VO2max (vVO2max); 3) all-out exercise bout performed at vVO2max to determine time of support (Tlim) and the time to achieve VO2max (TAVO2max); 4) vertical jump. The main results showed that the power and aerobic capacity indexes were higher in G1, being able to differentiate the competitive level of the runners. The vVO2max explained the performance in 1500, regardless the training level.