Oxygen Uptake Response to an 800-m Running Race

• Published in: International journal of sports medicine 2005-05, Vol.26 (4), p.268-273
• Main Authors: Thomas, C., Hanon, C., Perrey, S., Le Chevalier, J.-M., Couturier, A., Vandewalle, H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Exercise - physiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Heart Rate - physiology; Humanities and Social Sciences; Humans; Lactic Acid - metabolism; Male; Oxygen Consumption - physiology; Physical Endurance - physiology; Running - physiology; Sport; Sport physiology; Task Performance and Analysis; Training & Testing; Vertebrates: body movement. Posture. Locomotion. Flight. Swimming. Physical exercise. Rest. Sports
• ISSN: 0172-4622; 1439-3964
• DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-820998

Abstract We tested the hypothesis that time course of O 2 uptake (VO 2 ) measured during a supramaximal exercise performed in the field is driven to maximal oxygen uptake (VO 2max ). On an outdoor track, five middle-distance male runners first performed a test to determine VO 2max and a supramaximal 800-m running test at least two days apart. VO 2 response was measured from the start to the end of exercise with the use of a miniaturised telemetric gas exchange system (Cosmed K4). VO 2max was reached by all subjects 45 ± 11 s (mean ± SD) after the onset of the 800-m race (i.e., 316 ± 75 m), and was maintained during the next 33 ± 6 s (i.e., 219 ± 41 m). The mean relative exercise intensity of the 800 m was 120 % VO 2max . An unexpected significant decrease in VO 2 (24.1 ± 7.0 %; p < 0.05) was observed in all subjects during the final 38 ± 17 s (i.e., the last 265 ± 104 m). We concluded that, at onset of a simulated 800 m running event, VO 2 is quickly projected towards the VO 2max , and then becomes limited by the achievable VO 2max . This race profile shown by all athletes is in some contrast to what can be expected from earlier findings in a laboratory setting.