Is test specificity the issue in assessing aerobic fitness and performance of runners? A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Various tests have been developed to evaluate aerobic fitness and performance of runners. However, a systematic understanding of which methods are more accurate is necessary to provide coaches and the sports sciences community with useful and confident outcomes. This study aims to summarize the evidence regarding the validity, reliability and sensitivity of tests for measuring aerobic fitness and performance in runners of several background of training. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A systematic search was conducted of Web of Science, PubMed and Scopus up to 31st December 2022 according to PRISMA statement guidelines. Studies that reported findings about tests covering maximal aerobic speed, final velocity achieved during the test, average running speed or other method of evaluating the reference speed during the test were included. We evaluated the risk of bias in the included articles using the Risk of Bias Assessment Tool for Nonrandomized Studies (RoBANS). The tests were categorized into continuous incremental tests, intermittent tests and time-trial test. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: A total of 23 studies met eligibility criteria. These studies contained three background of training: track and road runners (N.=15), trail runners (N.=7) and inexperienced runners (N.=1). Criterion validity was assessed in 73% of the studies, while only 41% of studies examined convergent validity. The majority of the reviewed studies (87%) ignored test-retest reliability. Test sensitivity was not reported in any study. CONCLUSIONS: At least one aerobic fitness and performance test was identified for each types of background of training. However, some methodological aspects were not provided in the included articles. Most studies examined at least one aspect of validity (i.e., criterion or convergent-related validity), whilst few studies investigated test-retest reliability. Researchers and practitioners can use the information provided in this systematic review to select appropriate tests.

The 180/20 intermittent athletic test: A new intermittent track test to assess the maximal aerobic speed in middle-distance runners / El test atlético intermitente 180/20: Una nueva prueba de pista intermitente para evaluar la velocidad aeróbica máxima en los corredores de media distancia / O teste atlético intermitente 180/20: Um novo teste intermitente de pista para avaliar a velocidade aeróbia máxima nos corredores de meia distância

Objective: The training of middle-distance runners is based on intermittent exercises. However, no study has proposed intermittent test to assess endurance performance for middle-distance athletes. The aims of the present study are 1) to develop a new specific testing for middle-distance runners entitled the 180/20 intermittent athletic test and to examine the validity of this test as compared to a standard continuous test 2) to check whether the maximal aerobic speed obtained from the180/20intermittent athletic test is related to the 800-m performance. Methods: Nineteen male middle-distance runners (age: 21.3 ± 2.2 years, height: 1.75 ± 0.04 m, and body mass: 68.8 ± 3.8 kg) performed in a random order three field-tests: a standard test, the 180/20intermittent athletic test and 800-m time-trial. The new test consisted of repeated 180m distance runs interspersed with 20m of active recovery performed until exhaustion. The speed is increased by 0.5 km.h-1 every 200 m. Results: The results of this study showed the maximal aerobic speed achieved during the new test was significantly correlated to the maximal aerobic speed determined from a standard test (r=0.82, p<0.05) with low agreement limits (-1.69–1.48km.h-1) without systematic bias (-0.10km.h-1).The maximal aerobic speed in new test was better correlated to the 800-m running performance than the maximal aerobic speed achieved during a standard test(r=-0.78 and r=-0.66, respectively). Conclusions: The 180/20intermittent athletic testis a valid test for scheduling intermittent training sessions in middle-distance runners.(AU)

Objetivo: El entrenamiento de los corredores de media distancia se basa en ejercicios intermitentes. Sin embargo, ningún estudio ha propuesto pruebas intermitentes para evaluar el rendimiento de resistencia para atletas de media distancia. Los objetivos del presente estudio son 1) desarrollar una nueva prueba específica para corredores de media distancia denominada prueba atlética intermitente 180/20 y examinar la validez de esta prueba en comparación con una prueba continua estándar 2) verificar si el máximo la velocidad aeróbica obtenida de la prueba atlética intermitente 180/20 está relacionada con el rendimiento de 800 m. Método: Diecinueve corredores de media distancia masculinos (edad: 21,3 ± 2,2 años, altura: 1,75 ± 0,04 m y masa corporal: 68,8 ± 3,8 kg) realizaron en orden aleatorio tres pruebas de campo: una prueba estándar, la prueba intermitente 180/20 prueba atlética y contrarreloj de 800 m. La nueva prueba consistió en recorridos repetidos de 180 m intercalados con 20 m de recuperación activa realizados hasta el agotamiento. La velocidad se incrementa en 0,5 km.h-1 cada 200 m. Resultados: Los resultados de este estudio mostraron que la velocidad aeróbica máxima alcanzada durante el nuevo test se correlacionó significativamente con la velocidad aeróbica máxima determinada a partir de un test estándar (r=0,82, p<0,05) con límites de concordancia bajos (-1,69–1,48 km. h-1) sin sesgo sistemático (-0,10 km.h-1). La velocidad aeróbica máxima en la nueva prueba se correlacionó mejor con el rendimiento de carrera de 800 m que la velocidad aeróbica máxima alcanzada durante una prueba estándar (r = -0,78 y r=-0,66, respectivamente). Conclusiones: El test atlético intermitente 180/20 es un test válido para la programación de entrenamientos intermitentes en corredores de media distancia.(AU)

Objetivo: O treinamento de corredores de meio-fundo é baseado em exercícios intermitentes. No entanto, nenhum estudo propôs teste intermitente para avaliar o desempenho de resistência para atletas de meia-distância. Os objetivos do presente estudo são 1) desenvolver um novo teste específico para corredores de meio-fundo intitulado teste atlético intermitente 180/20 e examinar a validade deste teste em comparação com um teste contínuo padrão 2) verificar se o a velocidade aeróbia obtida no teste atlético intermitente de 180/20 está relacionada ao desempenho de 800 m. Métodos: Dezenove corredores de meio-fundo do sexo masculino (idade: 21,3 ± 2,2 anos, estatura: 1,75 ± 0,04 m e massa corporal: 68,8 ± 3,8 kg) realizaram em ordem aleatória três testes de campo: um teste padrão, o teste intermitente 180/20 teste atlético e contra-relógio de 800 m. O novo teste consistiu em corridas repetidas de 180m intercaladas com 20m de recuperação ativa realizada até a exaustão. A velocidade é aumentada em 0,5 km.h-1 a cada 200 m. Resultados: Os resultados deste estudo mostraram que a velocidade aeróbia máxima alcançada durante o novo teste foi significativamente correlacionada com a velocidade aeróbica máxima determinada a partir de um teste padrão (r=0,82, p<0,05) com limites de concordância baixos (-1,69–1,48km. h-1) sem viés sistemático (-0,10km.h-1). A velocidade aeróbica máxima em novo teste foi melhor correlacionada com o desempenho de corrida de 800 m do que a velocidade aeróbia máxima alcançada durante um teste padrão (r=-0,78 e r=-0,66, respectivamente). Conclusões: O teste atlético intermitente 180/20 é um teste válido para o agendamento de sessões de treinamento intermitente em corredores de meio-fundo.(AU)