Middle-distance running performances (800-1,500 m) relies on both aerobic and anaerobic metabolisms [1]. The relative contribution of each metabolic pathway during a middle-distance run has already been reported in elite athletes, but the performance was for males only performing on a treadmill [2]. Weyand et al. [3] have demonstrated that middle-distance performances depended more on aerobic capacity than on anaerobic capacity. Indeed, Weyand et al. [3] have shown that, in sub-elite runners (2 min 01 sϮ5 s and 2 min 32 sϮ6 s over 800 m for males and females), the peak oxygen deficit was a moderately strong predictor of middle-distance performances (38 and 27% of the variance of the performances over 800 and 1,500 m). Therefore, the energetic factors of performance were expressed with different units: the anaerobic one was reported as capacity (the "anaerobic work capacity" in J), and the aerobic one was expressed as a power (the "maximal aerobic power" in W).Wilkie's model (see method section) gives a physiological background of the hyperbolic function between the total power output (Ė r ) and the exercise duration. According to Wilkie's equation of [4], the aerobic and anaerobic factors of performance can be calculated with the same dimension because it allows the aerobic power (Ė r max aero ) to be distinguished from the Japanese Journal of Physiology, 54, 125-135, 2004 Key words: anaerobic, maximal oxygen uptake, gender, adolescence.
Abstract:The aim of this study was to determine the energetic factors of middle-distance running performance in junior elite runners according to gender and by using measurements from on-track performances. Fifteen elite runners (8 males and 7 females) were investigated by means of an incremental test and an all-out run over 600 m performed with a 2-d interval.We calculated (1) the aerobic maximal power (Ė r max aero , in W kg Ė r max aero explained most of the variance in the performance (the personal best performed 8 weeks later) between genders: 65 and 79% over 800 m (T 800 ) and 1,500 m (T 1,500 ). For females, Ė r max aero explained most of the variance of T 1,500 (r 2 ϭ0.66), and Ė r max anaero improved this prediction (r 2 ϭ0.84). No energetic factor predicted the performance on 800 m run in males. In elite junior athletes, the energetic model with individual data measured over an all-out 600 m performed on a track, provides an explanation for most of the variance in middle-distance running performances between genders. The distinction between aerobic power and anaerobic power allowed an improvement in the prediction of middle-distance running performances. [The Japan-