The purpose of the present study was to examine the validity of using a 20 m progressive shuttle run test to estimate maximal oxygen uptake. Running ability was described as the final level attained on the shuttle run test and as time on a 5 km run. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) was determined directly for seventy-four volunteers (36 men, 38 women) who also completed the shuttle run test. Maximal oxygen uptake values were 58.5 +/- 7.0 and 47.4 +/- 6.1 ml.kg-1.min-1 for the men and women respectively (mean +/- SD, P less than 0.01). The levels attained on the shuttle run test were 12.6 +/- 1.5 (men) and 9.6 +/- 1.8 (women; P less than 0.01). The correlation between VO2 max and shuttle level was 0.92. The correlation between VO2 max and the 5 km run was -0.94 and the correlation between both field tests was -0.96. The results of this study suggest that a progressive shuttle run test provides a valid estimate of VO2 max and indicates 5 km running potential in active men and women.

Summary. This paper examines how selected physiological performance variables, such as maximal oxygen uptake, strength and power, might best be scaled for subject differences in body size. The apparent dilemma between using either ratio standards or a linear adjustment method to scale was investigated by considering how maximal oxygen uptake (l" rain-1), peak and mean power output (W) might best be adjusted for differences in body mass (kg). A curvilinear power function model was shown to be theoretically, physiologically and empirically superior to the linear models. Based on the fitted power functions, the best method of scaling maximum oxygen uptake, peak and mean power output, required these variables to be divided by body mass, recorded in the units kg 2/3. Hence, the power function ratio standards (ml.kg -2/3.min -1) and (W.kg-2/3) were best able to describe a wide range of subjects in terms of their physiological capacity, i.e. their ability to utilise oxygen or record power maximally, independent of body size. The simple ratio standards (ml. kg-1. min-1) and (W. kg -1) were found to best describe the same subjects according to their performance capacities or ability to run which are highly dependent on body size. The appropriate model to explain the experimental design effects on such ratio standards was shown to be log-normal rather than normal. Simply by taking logarithms of the power function ratio standard, identical solutions for the design effects are obtained using either ANOVA or, by taking the unscaled physiological variable as the dependent variable and the body size variable as the covariate, ANCOVA methods.

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Over the last decade increasing interest has been shown in the measurement of anaerobic power and capacity in athletic men. These physiological characteristics have been determined predominantly using cycle ergometry and treadmill sprinting. The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between 40-m maximal shuttle run times and performance indices obtained during treadmill sprinting and cycle ergometry. Moderate correlations were found between 10-m split times (the time taken to cover the initial 10 m of the shuttle course) and treadmill peak power outputs (r = -0.67; P < 0.05). Similar relationships were also found between the fastest 40-m time and mean power outputs generated on both the treadmill and cycle ergometer (r = -0.67; P < 0.05) and (r = -0.75; P < 0.05) respectively. The treadmill has enabled the measurement of the peak, mean and end power outputs (end power being the minimum power generated during the last second of each sprint) while assessing the fatigue associated with exercise of maximum intensity. The aim of the present study was to examine sprint performance during a 40-m shuttle run test, and to compare the values obtained with power output generated during treadmill sprinting and cycle ergometry each of 30-s duration. MethodsTen male subjects volunteered to participate in the present study. All were physically active and had varied sporting backgrounds. Experimental design and procedures were approved by the Ethical Committee at Loughborough University. Before testing, all subjects were fully familiarized with the experimental procedures, tested at the same relative time intervals (morning testing) and were informed that they were free to withdraw from the tests at any time. A rest day preceded each test, and subjects attended the laboratory having fasted overnight (for at least an 8-h period). Body weight and height were recorded before each test. Heart rate during laboratory and field tests was recorded using a short range telemetry system (Sport Tester PE3000, Polar Electro, Kempele, Finland). Blood lactate concentration was determined in capillary blood samples (20 RI) taken from a prewarmed finger. Three samples were taken: one before exercise, and two postexercise, one at 3 min following completion of the exercise period and another 3 min later. Samples were deproteinized in 228 Br

Recent studies have suggested that determining the accumulated oxygen deficit (AOD), in units of oxygen equivalents per kilogram body mass (ml O2 Eq.kg-1), during a short exhaustive run, may represent a non-invasive measure of anaerobic metabolism. However, there is little information either on the reproducibility of the laboratory determination or its relationship with human performance. The purpose of the present investigation was to determine the reproducibility of AOD during inclined treadmill running (study 1), and to examine its relationship with short-distance running performance (study 2). Twelve volunteers (11 males, 1 female) took part in study 1 and AOD was determined (relative exercise intensity approximately 120% VO2 max) on two separate occasions at a treadmill inclination of 10.5%; the laboratory-measured AOD values were 65.2 +/- 10.9 vs 66.3 +/- 12.5 ml O2 Eq.kg-1, respectively (r = 0.94, P < 0.01). A second subject group (10 males, 4 females) undertook study 2, which investigated AOD values and track times over 100, 400 and 800 m. The mean calculated AOD value was 66.1 +/- 12.0 ml O2 Eq.kg-1, and the average track times were 13.6 +/- 1.3, 60.9 +/- 6.8 and 138.8 +/- 18.5 s for the 100, 400 and 800 m, respectively. The r-values for the relationship between AOD and track time were -0.88, -0.82 (P < 0.01) and -0.61 (P < 0.05) for the 100, 400 and 800 m, respectively. The results of the present study suggest that the AOD (ml O2 Eq.kg-1) is a unique and reproducible physiological characteristic which is strongly correlated with sprint capacity.