Peak oxygen deficit predicts sprint and middle-distance track performance.

The purpose of this study was to determine the value of the peak oxygen deficit (POD) as a predictor of sprint and middle-distance track performance. POD, peak blood lactate, VO2peak, lactate threshold, and running economy at 3.6 m.s-1 were measured during horizontal treadmill running in 22 male and 19 female competitive runners of different event specialties. Subjects also completed running performance trials at 100, 200, 400, 800, 1500, and 5000 m. Correlations of track performances with POD (ml.kg-1) (-0.66, -0.71, -0.71, -0.62, -0.52, and -0.40) were moderately strong at the sprint and middle distances, accounting for 44-50% of the performance variance at the three shortest distances. Correlations of track performances with peak blood lactate concentration were lower than with POD and accounted for approximately one-half as much of the performance variance (21-26%) at the three shortest distances. Multiple regression analyses indicated that the POD was the strongest metabolic predictor of 100-, 200- and 400-m performance, and that VO2peak was the strongest metabolic predictor of 800-, 1500-, and 5000-m performance. We conclude that the POD is a moderately strong predictor of sprint and middle-distance track performance.

Peak oxygen deficit during one- and two-legged cycling in men and women.

The objectives of this study were to determine the relationships of estimated active muscle mass and gender to anaerobic capacity, as measured by the peak oxygen deficit, and to compare these relationships with those for peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak). Fat-free leg volumes (FFLV), and one- and two-legged cycling peak oxygen deficit and VO2peak were determined in young, physically active men (N = 11) and women (N = 9). For men and women, mean (+/- SD) peak oxygen deficit for one-legged cycling (2.27 +/- 0.30 and 1.18 +/- 0.18 l) was 52% of that for two-legged cycling (4.40 +/- 0.62 and 2.25 +/- 0.28 l). For all subjects and both modes of exercise, there was a strong linear relation between peak oxygen deficit (1) and estimated active muscle mass (FFLV) (r = 0.94). This relation was the same in one- and two-legged cycling, but was different for men and women. For a given FFLV, the peak oxygen deficit was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in men than women by an average of 0.44 l. The relation of peak oxygen deficit to FFLV was significantly stronger than the relation of VO2peak to FFLV (r = 0.80). We conclude: (a) that the peak oxygen deficit is strongly related to the estimated active muscle mass during cycling; (b) that for a given estimated active muscle mass (FFLV), the peak oxygen deficit is higher in men than women; and (c) that the peak oxygen deficit is more strongly related than VO2peak to the estimated quantity of active muscle.

Validation of the 12-minute swim as a field test of peak aerobic power in young women.

The purposes of this study were to validate the 12-min swim as a field test of VO2 peak in female recreational swimmers and to compare its validity with that of the 12-min run. The results are contrasted with those previously reported on a comparable group of male recreational swimmers. Thirty-four young women completed 12-min swim, 12-min run, tethered swimming VO2 peak, and treadmill running VO2 peak tests within 3 weeks. Mean (+/- SD) 12-min swim and run distances were 597 +/- 82 and 2,313 +/- 317 m, and mean tethered swim and treadmill run VO2 peak values were 39.2 +/- 4.9 and 45.4 +/- 6.3 ml.kg BW-1.min-1, respectively. Correlation coefficients and standard errors of estimate for predictions of swimming VO2 peak from the 12-min swim (.42 and 4.5 ml.kg BW-1.min-1) and run (.58 and 4.1 ml.kg BW-1.min-1) and for predictions of treadmill run VO2 peak from the 12-min swim (.34 and 6.0 ml.kg BW-1.min-1) and run (.87 and 3.2 ml.kg BW-1.min-1) indicated that the 12-min run was a more accurate predictor of tethered swim or treadmill run VO2 peak than the 12-min swim. These data are in close agreement with our previous study on young male recreational swimmers. We conclude that the 12-min swim has relatively low validity as a field test of peak aerobic power and that it is not an equally valid alternative to the 12-min run in young adult female recreational swimmers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Validation of the 12-min swim as a field test of peak aerobic power in young men.

The purposes of this study were to validate the 12-min swim as a field test of VO2max and to compare its validity with that of the 12-min run. Thirty-six young men completed 12-min swim, 12-min run, tethered swimming (TS) VO2peak, and treadmill running (TR) VO2peak tests within 3 wk. Mean (+/- SD) 12-min swim and run distances were 581 +/- 88 and 2797 +/- 290 m, and mean TS and TR VO2peak values were 50.3 +/- 6.2 and 57.2 +/- 5.5 ml.kg BW-1.min-1, respectively. Correlation coefficients and standard errors of estimate for predictions of TS VO2peak from the 12-min swim (0.40 and 5.7 ml.kg BW-1.min-1) and run (0.74 and 4.2 ml.kg BW-1.min-1) and for predictions of TR VO2peak from the 12-min swim (0.38 and 5.1 ml.kg BW-1.min-1) and run (0.88 and 2.6 ml.kg BW-1.min-1) indicated that the 12-min run was a more accurate predictor of TS or TR VO2peak than the 12-min swim. We conclude that the 12-min swim has relatively low validity as a field test of peak aerobic power and that it should not be considered an equally valid alternative to the 12-min run in young male recreational swimmers. However, the accuracy of predicting VO2peak from the 12-min swim is as good as some other commonly used methods, and, therefore, it may be adequate for fitness classification in situations in which a high level of accuracy is not needed.