Effect of Running Velocity Variation on the Aerobic Cost of Running

Abstract

The aerobic cost of running (CR), an important determinant of running performance, is usually measured during constant speed running. However, constant speed does not adequately reflect the nature of human locomotion, particularly competitive races, which include stochastic variations in pace. Studies in non-athletic individuals suggest that stochastic variations in running velocity produce little change in CR. This study was designed to evaluate whether variations in running speed influence CR in trained runners. Twenty competitive runners (12 m, VO2max=73 + 7 ml/kg; 8f, VO2max=57 + 6 ml/kg) ran four 6-minute bouts at an average speed calculated to require ~90% ventilatory threshold (VT) (measured using both v-slope and ventilatory equivalent). Each interval was run with minute-to-minute pace variation around average speed. CR was measured over the last 2 min. The coefficient of variation (CV) of running speed was calculated to quantify pace variations: + 0.0 m∙s-1 (CV = 0%), + 0.04 m∙s-1 (CV = 1.4%), + 0.13 m∙s-1(CV = 4.2%), and + 0.22 m∙s-1(CV = 7%). No differences in CR, HR, or blood lactate (BLa) were found amongst the variations in running pace. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was significantly higher only in the 7% CV condition. The results support earlier studies with short term (3s) pace variations, that pace variation within the limits often seen in competitive races did not affect CR when measured at running speeds below VT.

Oxygen Uptake Measurements and Rate of Perceived Exertion during a Marathon

“…In the present study, all the marathoners (but one) ran in "positive split," that is to say, with a speed decrease trend in accordance with prior study with an extremely low value of risk α (p < 0.0001) associated with the same tendency for the both components of the runners' speed. It was recently shown that the variation in running velocity did not affect the aerobic cost of running at speed below anaerobic threshold [31].…”